Willoughby Mayor Gail Giles-Gidney enters preselection race for Willoughby electorate

Former TV presenter Kellie Sloane looks set to face tough competition in the battle for Willoughby preselection as the popular local mayor throws her hat in the ring.

The preselection race in Gladys Berejiklian’s north shore seat is heating up with the region’s long standing mayor officially entering the race.

Willoughby’s sitting mayor Gail Giles-Gidney has confirmed she will seek preselection for the upcoming state Willoughby by-election, triggered by Gladys Berejiklian’s registration on October 1.

Ms Giles-Gidney told the North Shores Times she would withdraw from the December council elections – where she was running as independent – to pursue Liberal state preselection.

Gail Giles-Gidney will stand for preselection in Willoughby.

She enters the race after serving as a councillor since 2009 and mayor since 2014.

Ms Giles-Gidney said she had made the decision after a “great deal of consideration”.

“I’ve absolutely loved my position as mayor and serving on council – it’s a very special community we have in Willoughby,” she said.

“I hope to have an opportunity to represent and advocate for the community in another capacity.”

Kellie Sloane will also stand for preselection.

Ms Giles-Gidney is not the only name to enter the race, with former TV presenter and chief executive of Enter National Life Education Kellie Sloane also announcing her intention to stand for Liberal preselection earlier this month.

Liberal party nominations opened last week, and it is understood no further nominations have been officially received to date.

Nominations will be closed at the discretion of state director Chris Stone before party members are able to vote on a preferred candidate.

Gladys Berejiklian speaks to media outside her Northbridge office earlier this month.

It is still unclear when the by-election will be held, however it is increasingly unlikely a December 4 poll will be held to coincide with council elections due to the timing and planning involved.

The process for holding the by-election will began when Ms Berejiklian formally submits her resignation to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Jonathan O’Dea – something which is understood not to have taken place to date.

Willoughby is considered one of the safest seats for the NSW Liberal Party with Ms Berejiklian comfortably returned at the last election in 2019 on a 21 per cent margin