Happy family: Russell Cooper (right) with his wife Jade (left) and their children Ryan and Eva.
The Nationals' candidate to go head-to-head with Rob Oakeshott for the federal seat of Lyne will come from an all-male field.
The party's NSW director Ben Franklin confirmed the six candidates earlier today.
"The final list of candidates for preselection in Lyne is Russell Cooper, David Gillespie, Jamie Harrison, Aaron Mendham, Reg Pierce and Brett Sprague."
Nominations closed yesterday.
For more on the candidates, don't miss Monday's paper.
From Friday's Port News:
TWO more hopefuls contesting The Nationals’ Lyne preselection have declared their hand.
Port Macquarie Panthers general manager Russell Cooper and former Port Macquarie-Hastings councillor Jamie Harrison are running for preselection.
Port Macquarie doctor Dr David Gillespie and army officer Brett Sprague have already gone public with their preselection bids.
The party’s members on July 1 will decide The Nationals’ candidate to contest the seat of Lyne against independent Lyne MP Rob Oakeshott.
Mr Cooper, 35, believes he is the best man for the job.
“I’m an extremely hard worker ... and I really enjoy representing people,” he said.
Mr Cooper said he took pleasure in the opportunity to work with the community organisations through the club.
The Port Macquarie Panthers general manager gained first-hand political experience following the last federal election when the club movement chose him to represent it in negotiations with Mr Oakeshott over gaming machine reform.
Mr Cooper manages 150 staff and a budget of more than $20 million.
He is married and has two children.
Meanwhile, ex-councillor and business operator Jamie Harrison said he was frustrated at the government.
“I’m a young person, I’ve always been interested in the community I live in and trying to put not only Port Macquarie but Australia’s best foot forward,” he said.
The 34-year-old said he lived in Port Macquarie, understood business and the difficulties created by an “inept” government.
Mr Harrison secured more than eight per cent of the primary vote when he stood as an independent in the 2008 state by-election.
Mr Harrison is Port Macquarie Race Club vice-president and a patrol captain with Port Macquarie Surf Life Saving Club.
He is married with one child.
Former Lyne MP Mark Vaile spoke about the democratic nature of The Nationals’ pre-selection process.
“That allows a very good blooding process, if you like, for new candidates and skills the person that will represent us in the next federal election in the seat of Lyne,” Mr Vaile said.
Dr Gillespie was The Nationals’ candidate in the 2010 federal election.
