Bridget McKenzie won’t run for seat of Mallee

Leading Nationals figures had been pushing for a prominent woman to replace Andrew Broad after the “sugar daddy’’ scandal.

Deputy Nationals leader Bridget McKenzie’s name had been put forward as a possible replacement for Andrew Broad’s federal seat of Mallee.

Deputy Nationals leader Bridget McKenzie will not run in the regional Victorian federal seat of Mallee, despite weeks of speculation she would move to the lower house and succeed disgraced MP Andrew Broad.

Leading Nationals figures have pushed for a woman to succeed Mr Broad after he was revealed to be using a “sugar daddy website” to meet younger women overseas.

Senator McKenzie was immediately brought up as a potential candidate as she is the most prominent woman in the Nationals, and there have been numerous reports she has considered a move to the lower house.

But she was not as well connected to Mallee as she is to another seat she is often linked to, Indi, and Mallee locals told The Australian this would count against her in a preselection battle.

Nominations for Nationals Party preselection in Mallee will close on Friday, with party members due to select their successful candidate on January 19.

Victorian Nationals leader Peter Walsh has called for a ­female candidate with Dried Fruits Australia chief Anne ­Mansell, Birchip Cropping Group chairwoman Caroline Welsh and former Citrus Australia chairwoman Tanya Chapman all being spoken of as potential contenders.

Mr Broad won Mallee by a margin of 21.3 per cent in 2016, but the Nationals lost the corresponding state seat of Mildura to former Labor mayor turned independent Ali Cupper on November 24.

Sky News commentator and former Tony Abbott chief of staff Peta Credlin is being encouraged to run for the Liberals in Mallee, having grown up in the local town of Wycheproof.