Member for Dubbo Troy Grant admits he is heartened by results in two regional byelections over the weekend, but says they will do little to impact his decision on whether to stand for the 2019 State election.
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Mr Grant also believes that if he does run for a third term he would be able to comfortably hold off any challenge presented by other parties or independent candidates
Nationals candidates Steph Cooke and Austin Evans were victorious in the polls held in Cootamundra and Murray on Saturday.
Cooke received more than 45 per cent of the primary vote but the swing was about 20 per cent away from the Nationals, while Evans defied a swing of about 15 per cent to win Murray.
While buoyed by the results from the weekend, Mr Grant is adamant they will have no bearing on whether he contests the 2019 election.
There have been rumblings that the former deputy premier may step away from politics, but he said his focus is on doing the best job.
“I’ve said publicly before that I will make my mind up 12 months out from the election,” he said.
“I will speak with my family and work out what is best for us, because it’s a four-year commitment and I’m not someone who would cause a byelection half-way through a term.
“I saw some industry polling recently which was done with several candidates, including Ben Shields and Mathew Dickerson, and my primary was sitting at 63 per cent in that polling.
“I have no fears about losing the seat of Dubbo, and whether I run or not has nothing to do with that.”
