WA Liberal Party state director Sam Calabrese pulls out of race for Senator Mathias Cormann’s replacement

WA Liberal party state director Sam Calabrese has shut down speculation he will be nominating himself in pre-selections for Mathias Cormann’s Senate replacement. Mr Calabrese, who had been considered a front runner in the preselection race, has sent an email to State Council members informing them he will not be running. “I wish to reassure you that my undivided focus is on supporting our party to achieve the best possible result in March 2021,” Mr Calabrese said in the email. “At this point in time, I recognise the best contribution I can make is to work with our team to run a strong State Election campaign. “I am immensely honoured to represent our party as state director and fulfil a role that enables me to assist likeminded-Liberals enter Parliament to fight for what we believe in.” The West has been told by a number of Liberal party sources that Mr Calabrese had been encouraged to run. But were he to nominate, he would have needed to resign from his position as state director. Nominations for the Senate “casual vacancy” which was created by Senator Cormann’s resignation opened on Saturday and are set to close by September 25. Earlier this week The West Australian revealed the stepson of construction tycoon Len Buckeridge was considering entering the race to fill the Senate vacancy created by the Finance Minister’s looming retirement from politics. Julian Ambrose, the son of Mr Buckeridge’s second wife Tootsie, has strong Liberal Party connections and was thanked in the maiden speeches of Federal MPs Ben Morton and Vince Connolly. It is expected that there will be a wide field of candidates for the spot, but most will wait until it is close to the September 25 date to nominate. The pre-selections will also deal with the Senate ticket for the next election with current Senators Michaelia Cash and Dean Smith expected to be given the number 1 and 2 spots.

WA Liberal Party state director Sam Calabrese pulls out of race for Senator Mathias Cormann’s replacement

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