Jaimee Rogers: Liberals tune in to former TV presenter to win back Warringah seat from Zali Steggall
The Liberal Party has chosen a “livewire”, who has swum the English Channel, nearly made it to the Olympics and been the face of a betting company, to take on Zali Steggall at next year’s federal election.
Manly
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The Liberal Party has chosen a “livewire” former TV sports presenter to take on the teals as it looks to win back what was once a blue ribbon Sydney seat.
Jaimee Rogers, who was also previously a high-profile spokeswoman for betting company Tabcorp, will take on Zali Steggall in Warringah at next year’s federal election.
Ms Rogers, a mother of two who lives on the Sydney’s lower north shore, was the only candidate for preselection when she went before an endorsement meeting at Balgowlah RSL last Wednesday night.
She was quizzed by more than 100 delegates from local Liberal branches in the electorate — stretching from North Curl Curl to North Sydney — before she was officially picked as a candidate.
In the lead-up to the endorsement meeting, she received the public backing of northern beaches-based former NSW Liberal Premier Mike Baird.
Ms Rogers started as the marketing co-ordinator at Tabcorp before becoming the marketing manager of Sky Racing and Sky Sports.
She was also a member of the Big Sports Breakfast team on Sky Sports Radio, has hosted television programs, and appeared frequently on horse racing broadcasts during the Melbourne Spring Carnival.
Ms Rogers has a bachelor of sport and exercise management and a master’s in marketing, and has worked as a journalist and producer at ABC News Radio.
She joined the Liberal Party in 2022 and completed its “Pathway to Politics for Women” in September 2024.
Ms Rogers competed at the 2000 Olympic trials in breaststroke. In 2022, she swam the English Channel in support of mental health charity Gotcha4Life, where she is an ambassador. She raised $75,000.
If she is to defeat Ms Steggall, who won the seat from former prime minister Tony Abbott in 2019, she will have to overcome an 11 per cent margin.
The “teal” independent then went on to easily beat controversial Liberal Party candidate Katherine Deves in 2022.
A senior Liberal insider said Rogers was a good candidate who would take the fight to Steggall.
“Jaimee is sporty, like Zali (who won a bronze medal in slalom at the 1998 Winter Olympics) and energetic,” the insider said.
“She’s a livewire who has built up a public profile and been active in raising money for charity.
In a statement, Ms Rogers said she would be campaigning for a strong economy as well as better infrastructure and services for locals.
She said families were forced to juggle rising household bills, rent and mortgages, caused by what she described as the “Labor cost-of-living crisis”.
“Higher prices for food, petrol, energy and insurance are leaving many families to wonder how much longer they’ll be able to afford living in their current home or apartment,” she said.
“I have always believed in putting your hand up and giving back to the community.
“That’s why I have put myself forward as the Liberal candidate for Warringah.
“Standing on the sidelines is no longer an option. We need a Liberal government that can tame Labor’s inflation and grow our economy.”
Ms Rogers said she would continue to be an advocate for mental health and suicide prevention.
“I will fight for the services and infrastructure that the Warringah community deserves, and ensure that our schools and hospitals are getting the funding they need.”
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