Sutherland Shire mayor Kent Johns. Picture: John Veage
Sutherland Shire mayor Kent Johns won’t run for Liberal Party pre-selection for the Miranda by-election.
He said his decision was based on the effects of a gruelling federal election campaign and ‘‘unclear’’ legislation banning MPs from being councillors.
Mr Johns said in a media report today that lobbyist and Liberal power-broker Michael Photios was working to secure Premier Barry O’Farrell’s support for him had ‘‘brought the matter to a head’’, but denied it had caused him to withdraw.
His decision leaves former councillors Kelly Knowles and Brett Thomas, as well as Meredith Laverty, who ran as an Independent in the last council election, as the main contenders.
More in tomorrow’s Leader.
What do you think of Kent Johns’ decision?
