Christopher Pyne protégé James Stevens backed by party members to run in Sturt

Christopher Pyne protege James Stevens has been overwhelmingly endorsed by the Liberal Party to contest the seat of Sturt at the Federal Election.

James Stevens has won the Liberal’s endorsement for Sturt.

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James Stevens, the former Christopher Pyne and Steven Marshall staffer has been overwhelmingly endorsed by his party to contest the seat of Sturt at the Federal Election.

At a preselection vote in Hackney this morning the man regarded as a protégé of Mr Pyne received 218 votes - well above two women from the rival Liberal Right faction, Joanna Andrew, 45, and Deepa Matthew, 11.

Mr Pyne this month confirmed his retirement to The Advertiser, announcing the end of a 26-year political career at the next election.

Me Stevens had the backing of Mr Pyne, Mr Marshall, deputy leader Vickie Chapman and Speaker Vincent Tarzia.

This week corporate leader and BHP Billiton board member Carolyn Hewson spruiked Mr Stevens’ “private and public sector experience, at very senior levels”, saying this means he “knows what businesses need from government”.

Prominent Liberal Right member Tony Pasin, the Barker MP, this month said Mr Pyne’s retirement at the May election “presents a gilt-edged opportunity for the strong articulate women in the Liberal Party to nominate for preselection in what is the Liberal Party’s safest seat in SA”.

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