Two dark horses emerge in the race for Labor leader following Bill Shorten’s devastating defeat

In the background of the Anthony Albanese and Chris Bowen race, two Labor rising stars have been sounded out as possible candidates.

Chris Bowen has announced that he’s throwing his hat in the ring to be the next leader of the Labor Party, hoping to win out against Anthony Albanese.

But in the background of that apparent two-pony race, a few dark horses have also been sounded out.

Queensland MP Jim Chalmers has confirmed his interest in being a contender after conversations about his future on Sunday.

“I’m considering it,” Mr Chalmers said on Q&A last night.

“I’m talking to my colleagues about it. I don’t think it’s unreasonable that a few of us take some time to work out what we want to do.”

Shadow Treasurer Chris Bowen will run for the leadership of the Labor Party. Picture: AAP

Anthony Albanese is favourite to emerge victorious in the race of Labor leader. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Popular Western Sydney MP Ed Husic is another name that’s been thrown into the mix.

It’s understood Mr Chalmers was encouraged to step forward by the man he served as chief-of-staff, former Treasurer Wayne Swan.

Mr Bowen’s main supporters urged him to provide a contest, which some in the party fear will prompt a fierce battle that will drag on for at least four weeks.

At a media conference this morning, Mr Bowen said the leadership position needed a race and a “contest of ideas”.

“I think it would be wrong of me to not provide that choice for the Labor,” he said.

Changes to Labor’s leadership rules in the week of the Kevin Rudd-Julia Gillard saga means the rank and file membership of the party must vote, making up 50 per cent of the tally.

Key powerbrokers, still licking their wounds after Saturday’s shock defeat to the Coalition, had been keen on doing a deal with Mr Bowen’s camp to have Mr Albanese stand unopposed.

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Ed Husic’s name is another that’s been thrown into the mix although it’s not clear if he’s keen. Picture: AAP

Ed Husic is a popular local member and skilled in his shadow portfolio areas.

But now that there will be a vote, other names have been sounded out — including the interesting choice of Mr Husic.

He was elected the Member for Chifley in the city’s outer west in 2010 and served as Parliamentary Secretary to then Prime Minister Rudd in 2013.

In Opposition, he was the spokesman on the Digital Economy and Human Services — areas he advocated for with passion and skill, his colleagues say.

A successful run by Mr Husic would be highly significant, making him the first Muslim leader in Australian political history.

A Labor source told news.com.au that he’s viewed as part of the Opposition’s ‘new blood’ and could help drive renewal.

But it’s unclear if Mr Husic is actually interested in running. He could not be reached for comment this morning.

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Jim Chalmers is a former party official in Queensland who was elected in 2013. Picture: AAP

Mr Chalmers was elected in 2013 in the southeast Queensland seat of Rankin and is viewed as something of a rising star.

He holds considerable sway and was a party official in Queensland before being elected.

Mr Bowen will face an uphill battle if he’s successful in becoming leader, given he was an architect of Labor’s key policies it took to the election.

Tax attacks on the “top end of town”, franking credits, negative gearing reform and the carbon emissions scheme are all covered in his fingerprints.

That would give the Coalition an easy point of criticism over the coming years.

Tanya Plibersek has decided not to run for Labor leader. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Deputy Labor leader Tanya Plibersek announced yesterday that she would not enter the race after all, citing the pressure on her family as a reason for sitting tight.

On the Today show this morning, Joel Fitzgibbon reluctantly said he would run for leader if his colleagues asked him to.

Mr Fitzgibbon said he would “much rather someone else” be leader than himself.

“But if I need to do it to secure the new path, the new direction we need then I certainly will,” he said.

Originally published as Two dark horses emerge in the race for Labor leader following Bill Shorten’s devastating defeat