Liberals poll Holdfast Bay mayor Amanda Wilson and Marion councillor Jana Mates as Black candidates to replace David Speirs

Two prominent local councillors are being polled as Liberal candidates to replace former Opposition Leader David Speirs.

The Liberals are road-testing two prominent local councillors to replace accused drug supplier and former leader David Speirs, by conducting opinion polling in his southwestern Adelaide seat of Black.

Voters were polled on Wednesday night about whether they preferred Holdfast Bay mayor Amanda Wilson or Marion councillor Jana Mates as the Liberal candidate at a by-election within weeks.

Former South Australian Liberal leader David Speirs. Picture: Facebook/Supplied

Police on Saturday revealed Mr Speirs, who quit as Liberal leader on August 8, has been charged with two counts of supplying a controlled substance between August 2 and 3 and on August 9.

He will face court on the charges for the first time on November 15, which falls the day before a possible by-election date.

Holdfast Bay mayor Amanda Wilson. Picture: Supplied

Marion Southern Hills Ward councillor Jana Mates. Picture. Supplied

A recorded phone poll commissioned by an associate of the Liberal Party on Wednesday night surveyed voters about Ms Wilson and Ms Mates as potential candidates.

Holdfast Bay Council extends into the northern end of Black, around South Brighton and Seacliff, while Ms Mates’ Marion Council ward stretches into Marino and Hallett Cove at Black’s southern tip.

It is understood Ms Wilson is not a Liberal member, although would be required to join if she became the candidate, while Ms Mates is a member and former president of the party’s Black state electorate convention.

Nominations for preselection closed at 5pm on Wednesday and the Liberals expect to choose a candidate by close of business Friday, ahead of a possible weekend announcement.

The Advertiser understands the Liberals are adopting an evidence-based approach to selecting candidates, believing the leading contenders have strong attributes as professional women with a background of local political involvement.

It is likely the Liberal state executive will choose the candidate, in a departure from the usual members’ ballot.

This is due to both the extraordinary circumstances and preselection reforms aimed at making the process more professional and exhaustive.

Mr Speirs was arrested at Berri on September 26. This came after The Advertiser in September published a video of Mr Speirs appearing to snort a white powder off the kitchen bench of his Kingston Park home.

He has announced he will quit parliament at a sitting week starting on October 15, triggering the by-election, but vowed he will fight to clear his name of all allegations.

Premier Peter Malinauskas on October 8 announced as Labor’s candidate senior Sacred Heart College teacher Alex Dighton, who ran against Mr Speirs at the 2022 state election.

Originally published as Liberals poll Holdfast Bay mayor Amanda Wilson and Marion councillor Jana Mates as Black candidates to replace David Speirs