Emma Pritchard

Clarence Valley residents will head to the polls next weekend to decide who the new Member for Clarence will be.

As the current Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis prepares to retire after announcing he will not be seeking re-election at the State election on March 25 after serving the Clarence electorate as a Nationals MP for more than 11 years, eight candidates are aspiring to assume his role later this month.

On March 9, candidates and their representatives attended the ballot draw in Grafton to reveal the order their names will appear on the voting slips.

Greens candidate Greg Clancy told the Clarence Valley Independent he was very pleased to draw position number two, and said he is looking forward to seeing how voters cast their democratic opinions at the polls.

Describing his campaign in the lead up to the 2023 State election as “full on”, Mr Clancy, who has served with Clarence Valley Council (CVC) since 2016 and currently holds the title of Deputy Mayor, said he’s enjoyed participating in recent meet the candidate events while conducting letter box drop offs as he promotes his candidacy.

Mr Clancy is campaigning for action on the climate emergency and prioritising the public educational and local health system, and revealed he is not experiencing any nerves ahead of election day.

2023 State election Clarence electorate ballot draw:

1 – Mark Rayner, Legalise Cannabis Party.

2 – Greg Clancy, The Greens.

3 – Debrah Novak, Independent.

4 – Richie Williamson, The Nationals.

5 – Leon Ankersmit, ALP.

6 – Brett Duroux, Indigenous Aboriginal Party.

7 – Nicki Levi – Independent.

8 – George Keller, the Sustainable Australia Party – Stop overdevelopment/corruption.