Former TV journalist Kellie Sloane seeking preselection in Willoughby

A former television journalist has confirmed her intention to run as the NSW Liberal Party’s candidate in Gladys Berejiklian’s seat.

Former television presenter Kellie Sloane has confirmed she will seek preselection to run as the Liberal party’s candidate in Willoughby, set to be vacated by former Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

She is one of at least three candidates vying to be the Liberal candidate in the seat.

The 48-year-old confirmed she would put her name forward for preselection, writing on Facebook that she was doing so after “encouraging conversations with many people in the electorate”.

Preselection for the blue-riband North Shore seat is set to be hotly contested.

Former TV presenter Kellie Sloane is looking to run for preselection in the state seat of Willoughby. Picture: John Grainger

Former Premier Gladys Berejiklian is yet to officially resign. Picture: Toby Zerna

Kellie Sloane (left) on the Sunrise couch.

Willoughby Mayor Gail Giles-Gidney – who is also understood to be running – has been touted as an “extremely popular” option. One senior Liberal spoke highly of Ms Sloane as a “future cabinet minister”, but said Ms Giles-Gidney could be a safer pick in a by-election contest due to her enormous local popularity.

It’s understood Ms Giles-Gidney is considering her options in respect of the upcoming local government elections to be held on December 4.

Menzies Research Centre Executive General Manager Tim James is also expected to run for preselection. But sources did not see Mr James, from the party’s Right faction, as a viable option.

“We’d lose the seat with Tim James as the candidate,” a senior Liberal said.

Premier Dominic Perrottet is said to want a woman to run for the party at the by-election, which is expected to be delayed until February.

While Ms Berejiklian held Willoughby with an ultra-safe margin of 21 per cent, Liberals are privately concerned about the impact the former Premier’s resignation will have on the party’s chances to retain the electorate.

Nominations for preselection in Willoughby opened last week, and will be closed at the discretion of state director Chris Stone.

Ms Berejiklian is still yet to officially resign.