WHILE Andrew Gee was able to celebrate his victory on the weekend after winning the Nationals preselection, three candidates were left feeling slightly dejected about the result.
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Bathurst's Sam Farraway, Orange's Scott Munro and Wellington's Alison Conn just couldn't get the numbers needed to win over the experienced Mr Gee.
Ms Conn was gracious in defeat and spoke with complete honesty following the announcement of the new Nationals federal candidate, telling Fairfax media she didn't go into preselection on Saturday expecting to secure enough votes.
"I wasn't surprised," she said. "Andrew has had solid support right through the process, so it is fantastic for members."
Despite the loss, Ms Conn said she would continue to offer her support to Mr Gee in Wellington as he attempted to win the federal seat of Calare at the next election for their party.
"Wellington is always supportive during the actual election and on election day... so I'm sure Wellington will be a fantastic branch and will be behind Andrew 100 per cent."
Mr Munro had high hopes for his preselection bid after the Lithgow Branch of the Nationals voted to nominate him.
The Orange councillor took defeat in his stride, confirming he will continue in politics.
He has now set his sights on another high position in the Nationals party - to be its candidate in the by-election for the state member for Orange.
"If I am selected, I would like to go for Andrew's job in Orange," Mr Munro said.
"[If unsuccessful] I will remain as a councillor on Orange City Council for as long as I can and continue to represent the people."
Mr Farraway was quick to leave Bathurst Panthers on Saturday afternoon and but spoke to Fairfax Media about the result on Sunday.
He said preselection was a gruelling process for all the candidates and congratulated Mr Gee on his win, even though it wasn't the result he was hoping for.
"I was a little disappointed, but at the end of the day we have a democracy in the Nationals party and everyone has the right to vote on the ballot [as they choose] and it was a good day for the Nationals," Mr Farraway said.
He intends to remain as the chairman for the Bathurst Branch of the Nationals while running his businesses in the region.
After his win, Mr Gee said he wanted to get straight out on the campaign trail for the federal election with the support of the unsuccessful preselection candidates and Nationals members.
"We have hard-fought preselections, but when they're over everyone comes together and gets behind the candidate," he said.
"Now having been preselected, our business is with our opponents, who are out there waiting for us now."
