Andrew Forrest man Tim Langmead aims for Warren Truss seat

A senior executive at Fortescue Metals Group has entered the race to replace Warren Truss in Wide Bay.

A senior executive at billionaire Andrew Forrest’s Fortescue Metals Group has entered the race to replace Warren Truss for the Liberal National Party in the Queensland seat of Wide Bay.

The Australian has confirmed that Tim Langmead, a former ­adviser to Mr Truss who has worked in Western Australia for the past eight years, has decided to challenge former Queensland deputy premier Jeff Seeney for preselection in the safe LNP seat.

Mr Langmead has the public backing of the influential Mr Forrest and Fortescue chief executive Nev Power. “We applaud Tim for his decision to stand for preselect­ion,” Mr Power said yesterday.

“It is critically important that the parliament includes people who have demonstrated strong community engagement as well as a good understanding of business. ”

It is believed Mr Langmead, 43, will argue that he is a youthful “cleanskin” with wide experience in the corporate sector and a keen understanding of the changes driving the world economy.

The Australian reported yesterday that LNP heavyweights are moving to block Mr Seeney jumping to federal politics as it would force an unwanted by-election.

LNP vice-president and policeman Llew O’Brien is also understood to be a contender despite claims he used a police data system to get information on a candidate.