The Nationals have preselected Port Macquarie solicitor Patrick Conaghan as its candidate for Cowper in the next federal election.
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The election is due in May 2019.
Mr Conaghan will be attempting to replace the retiring federal member Luke Hartsuyker who held the seat for The Nats for 17 years.
In a four-way tussle, Mr Conaghan beat three other candidates, Judy Plunkett, Jamie Harrison and Chris Genders.
Mr Conaghan praised his fellow candidates.
"Chris, Jamie and Judy were brilliant and not only are they nice people but they were very strong candidates," he said.
"Having three business people to step up and put everything on the line shows that the Nats are in good hands.
"This is both an honour and a very humbling experience to know that the membership (of The Nationals) has given me this vote of confidence."
It is a bit surreal, he added.
Mr Conaghan said he would savour the moment with his wife Ilona before hitting the ground running in the lead up to the election.
He said his focus would be on being an inclusive member for everyone in Cowper.
However, he has some specific directions for the federal seat, if he wins the next election.
I want to rejuvenate the interest of young people in politics and let them know that they are not left behind.
- Patrick Conaghan
"I want to rejuvenate the interest of young people in politics and let them know that they are not left behind," he said.
"Coffs Harbour has a huge unemployment issue with young people and I'd like to concentrate on that area too.
"Port Macquarie's main issue is in aged care; Port Macquarie has the highest percentage of people over the age of 65 years in the Cowper electorate."
Mr Conaghan said, if elected, he would represent the entire electorate.
"I will go everywhere in Cowper and talk to everyone in this seat," he added.
Mr Conaghan, who grew up in Kempsey and currently works in Port Macquarie, said there was no divide in Cowper.
NSW Nationals chairman Bede Burke said it was critical that the people of Cowper continued to have a strong voice in Parliament and he believed Patrick Conaghan was the right person for the job.
“Patrick Conaghan has already demonstrated a commitment to the community and has a desire to work hard for the people of Cowper,” Mr Burke said.
“It’s important we continue to have a strong voice in Parliament.
"I’m confident Patrick will be another strong Nationals MP that will work hard for the people.”
Mr Conaghan was a police officer for 12 years, including time as a detective and police prosecutor.
He has worked as a solicitor for the past 18 years and was a North Sydney councillor for four a half years.
Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour are the southern and northern bookends respectively of the Cowper electorate.
Cowper also includes Kempsey, Nambucca Heads, Macksville and South West Rocks.
Andrew Woodward will contest the seat of Cowper for Labor and Dr Sally Townley is The Greens candidate.
Independent candidate at the 2016 election and former federal Lyne MP Rob Oakeshott is yet to confirm if he will contest the next election.
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