Chapman Valley president and Northampton vice president nominate for Nationals’ Geraldton preselection

Two more names have appeared in the race to represent the Nationals WA in the battle for the seat of Geraldton, with the decision to be made this weekend. Chapman Valley shire president Kirrilee Warr confirmed her nomination on Monday morning while Northampton Shire vice president Rob Horstman has been named as another nominee for the seat of Geraldton with the Nationals. It means the Nationals preselection will be a three-person race between a trio with local government experience, with former City of Greater Geraldton mayor Shane Van Styn already confirming his nomination. “When regions thrive, everyone benefits. Our regions are resilient and have a great future. I am passionate about the towns and region from which I come and it’s why I will continue to work hard to serve the community as we seek to build and protect the regions,” Ms Warr said. The Chapman Valley born and bred candidate, who was elected to council in 2013, draws on her wealth of experience and knowledge of the region as a source of confidence to secure the seat. Mr Horstman ran for the Nationals in the 2021 State election for the Agricultural Region, but was unsuccessful. He was elected to local council in the same year. He was also the chair of Northampton’s cyclone Seroja response committee. “They’re both lovely people and worthy candidates, and also experienced in local government like myself. I think it’s great that people are trying to challenge what has been a really poor Government to Geraldton,” Mr Van Styn said. The Nationals’ State Council meeting will be held on Saturday, March 23, with the successful nominee set to be announced that afternoon. Party leader Shane Love said: “It’s a fantastic thing we have such strongly credential individuals with huge experience in local government areas. They’re all fantastic candidates and will be great contributors”. Mr Love has hopes all three would still be able to be involved in the party, despite only one candidate being able to fill the role. Labor incumbent Lara Dalton has confirmed she will nominate to run again, while the Liberals preselection is still up in the air, with former candidate Rob Dines ruling himself out last month.