Adam Marshall yet to decide if he'll put his hand up for third round

The party will hold the ballot on Saturday, September 29, in preparation for the state election in March next year.

“I’m yet to make up my mind if I’m putting my hand up,” Mr Marshall told The Leader.

“It’s a serious decision and a four-year commitment.

“My head’s not even in that space yet. All my focus is on at the moment is doing my job of serving the best interests of the region. The drought is front of mind at the moment.”

Mr Marshall has often been tossed up as the National’s heir apparent to the federal seat of New England.

Some see Mr Marshall’s hesitation to confirm his intentions as indicate that he’s weighing up whether to take on his federal Nationals colleague, former deputy prime minister and New England MP Barnaby Joyce, in a pre-selection battle for the seat.

In February, Mr Marshall was tipped as the Nationals choice to replace Mr Joyce, who was in the middle of a media storm, should he step down.

“I’m not going to entertain this speculation and political crystal ball gazing,” Mr Marshall said at the time.

“I’ve got a job that I am absolutely in love with, I love representing the people of this area.”

The Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party has put forward a candidate for the Northern Tablelands, naming Rayne Single, a high-voltage electrician from Invergowrie.

Mr Single said he wanted to bring the government’s attention back to the region.

“I’m tired of seeing Sydney get the main focus of the government,” he said.

Labor councillor Debra O’Brien has also put her hand up to run. 

“I am a Labor Party member and a lot of people are talking about that, but I believe that everybody is political,” Ms O’Brien said.

“Everybody has their political affiliations, everyone has their values and beliefs, I’m just happy to wear my colours openly.”