The National Party has selected Mackenna Powell as its candidate for the seat of Wagga Wagga at the March state election.
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Wagga voters have not had the option of backing a Nationals candidate for NSW Parliament since 1999.
Ms Powell, a Wagga-based area manager for rural business insurance company WFI, was preselected at a party meeting at the Commercial Club on Saturday.
Wagga vet Lynne Bodell, from the city's ratepayers community, had also stood as a potential candidate.
“I really believe people were disappointed they didn’t have the opportunity to vote for Nationals candidate in the Wagga byelection,” the moher of two adult daughters told The Daily Advertiser.
Now that she has been preselected, Ms Powell said she would be getting out and about in the Wagga community to “see what’s important to people”.
“I believe we can successfully win the election,” she said.
Riverina MP and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said on social media that he was looking forward to working with Ms Powell
“Mackenna Powell is a listener and a doer. She will deliver!” he stated.
NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro also congratulated Ms Powell via social media.
“Mackenna Powell is local born and bred. She is a passionate, vocal and dynamic champion for the region,” Mr Barilaro stated.
“Get ready, the Nats are back in Wagga!”
Ms Powell told The Daily Advertiser last week that she was ready to take on independent Wagga MP Joe McGirr, who won Wagga from the Liberal party at the September byelection.
“I am very passionate about this area. I have lived here all my life,” Ms Powell said.
“I feel it is very important to be involved.”
Ms McKenna will also be up against Labor candidate Dan Hayes and Shooters Farmers and Fishers Party candidate Seb McDonagh.