SUTHERLAND Shire mayor Kent Johns may seek to replace Graham Annesley as the state MP for Miranda if he fails to win the federal seat of Werriwa.
Deputy mayor Kevin Schreiber said he would not stand, but former councillors Kelly Knowles and Brett Thomas are likely contenders.
Liberal Party sources said a "Melbourne Cup field" was likely when preselection nominations were called.
Cr Johns declined to buy into the speculation, saying: "I am focused on Saturday — there is no Sunday."
Mr Annesley tearfully announced in Parliament last week he was quitting to become chief executive of the Gold Coast Titans rugby league club.
Before leaving for an overseas holiday, which he said was arranged months earlier, he signalled he would resign from Parliament "within a week or two".
Mr Annesley said he regretted taxpayers would have to pay the cost of a by-election, but it was "a consequence of our system".
When a member left the upper house for whatever reason, he or she was simply replaced by someone from the same party, but that process did not apply in the lower house.
Mr Annesley reiterated his sorrow at "letting down a lot of people, including the Premier, my colleagues, my staff, and the constituents of Miranda".
However, he said it would have been unfair on them to stay in a job to which he was not fully committed.
Mr Annesley said he had grown frustrated with political life.
"When people come into politics there is no training manual or work experience," he said.
"My background is working in an environment where you can make quick decisions and changes.
"Government is such a massive beast it is just not easy to achieve quick results and everything takes an inordinate amount of time.
"However, I don't want to convey the impression I am critical of our system because it's a lot better that others around the world."
MP SPEAKMAN STEPS UP
Graham Annesley’s decision to quit has put Cronulla MP Mark Speakman on the fast track to becoming a minister.
Premier Barry O’Farrell appointed him parliamentary secretary for tertiary education and skills, replacing Vaucluse MP Gabrielle Upton who was promoted to cabinet.
Mr O’Farrell said Mr Speakman was a strong advocate on behalf of his community and deserved the opportunity to make a broader contribution to the people of NSW in the important area of tertiary education.
Has Graham Annesley done the right thing?
