Dave Sharma selected as Liberal Party candidate in Malcolm Turnbulls old seat

[Mighty AU]

Former Australian ambassador to Israel Dave Sharma has won the Liberal Party candidacy for the Federal seat of Wentworth ahead of next month's by-election. 

Mr Sharma emerged victorious for the prized preselection after a marathon voting session that lasted more than six hours and finished in the early hours of Friday morning at a rugby club in Sydney's Rose Bay.

The ABC understands Mr Sharma took the spot with 119 votes in the final round after he and Woollahra councillor Richard Shields emerged as the final two candidates.

Liberal Party insiders said there were "201 voters".

The selection of Mr Sharma, who was endorsed by former prime ministers Malcolm Turnbull — whose resignation sparked the by-election — and John Howard, came despite the lobbying of Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Mr Morrison and other party heavyweights called for a woman to take the post, and the former ambassador's election may further fracture an already under-pressure Liberal Party. 

After six rounds of voting, Mr Sharma and Mr Shields finished ahead of former Wentworth MP Peter King, former Liberal Party staffer Mary-Lou Jarvis, former Woollahra deputy mayor, and Katherine O'Regan who had been the expected frontrunner.

The ABC understands there were audible gasps in room when Ms O'Regan was knocked out of the running.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-14/wentworth-liberal-pre-selection-won-by-dave-sharma/10244810

[Mono]

Goodbye, Malcolm.

Most useless Prime Minister ever.

[Lonestriper]

Yeah they should have gone with a woman considering the heat they're getting. Shorten and Albo gave them a workout in question time asking why they have a quota for nationals MPs but don't have one for women.

The by-election is going to be fun to watch. The libs will retain it but they'll be sweating bullets at the swing against them.

[Mighty AU]

Actually, Dave Sharma was Malcolm’s preferred successor, as opposed to eg ScoMo’s preferred. So Malcolm got the last laugh.