The man who played a key role in getting Dubbo MP Troy Grant elected at the 2011 election said he could tell from early on the former policeman had "a special quality".
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Peter Bartley said Troy Grant's profile was basically zero when their campaigning began in 2010 but with hard work they were able to unseat Independent Dawn Fardell.
He has then watched as Mr Grant has risen from MP to cabinet member in April and yesterday, National Party leader and Deputy Premier.
"I could see he had a special quality within him. He's a rare beast with significant real-life experience. He has the advantage of spending a lot of his life in the country. He worked at Tentafield, Coonamble, Gilgandra and lots of country postings which have given him a feel for people on the street and a natural interest," Mr Bartley said.
"I think that will stand him in good stead for his new role as deputy premier."
Across NSW, Mr Grant is still a relative unknown, but his profile has grown since being appointed as Minister for Hospitality, Gaming and Racing and Minister for the Arts.
He also overcame a similar issue when he decided to run for the seat of Dubbo.
"We started campaigning in June 2010 and at the time his recognition factor was zero around the electorate," Mr Bartley said.
"We had to get his profile up and even at that early stage he was willing to put in the hard yards. He started door knocking and he continued that right throughout the campaign.
"He was willing to visit all parts of the electorate and meet everyone."
Mr Bartley will again take on the role of campaign director for the March 2015 election and he said Mr Grant's new profile will help but boundary changes to the seat of Dubbo will present new challenges.
"He [Mr Grant] is going to be an absent candidate because the demands on his time are going to be extensive," he said.
"He hasn't stopped working for his old electorate and his new one will now take in Mudgee, Gulgong, Wellington and Trangie.
"He stands a good chance of retaining the seat but we won't be taking anything for granted and we will be working like it is a marginal seat."
The campaign director believes the partnership between Liberal Premier Mike Baird and Mr Grant can be a successful one.
"They are both young, intelligent, dedicated politicians and they will present an attractive team to the state on the last weekend in March," Mr Bartley said.
