Now the Urunga-based mother of three is busy attending branch meetings and preparing herself for the May 17 showdown, when she will stand beside the long-time sitting member Andrew Stoner, taking questions from the floor before members select their candidate by secret ballot.

“I know this is a very tall order, standing against Andrew, who has held this seat for so long, but I have been tapped on the shoulder by members who feel Andrew is distracted and has forgotten the people of his electorate,” Mrs Gordon said.

“At the end of the day, responding to the electorate is his first job.

“I have accepted this challenge because I care, I am passionate about this whole region, it is my home and I feel there is so much more that needs to be done.”

Mrs Gordon named economic growth to create more jobs in the region as a top priority issue.

* For full story and Mr Stoner's response see today's Guardian News