Named as one of the seats to watch, the Upper Hunter has been a Nationals seats since 1981 with the current incumbent Michael Johnsen taking the spot in 2015. According to the Australian Associated Press, there is a 2.2 per cent margin in the electorate with the Labor candidate, Melaine Dagg listed as the biggest threat.

Gloucester Rotary Club has invited all the candidates that have so far announced their nomination to an information session at the Gloucester Country Club on Thursday, March 7 from 7pm. Each candidate will be given 10 minutes to outline their election ideals, with opportunity to talk about the Gloucester region specifically, followed by a question and answer session.

Upper Hunter electorate candidates: Michael Johnsen - National; Melanie Dagg - Country Labor; Lee Watts - Shooters Fishers and Farmers; Tony Lonergan - Greens; Richard Stretton - Christian Democratic. 

The 2019 NSW State election will be held Saturday, March 23 from 8am - 6pm. It will mark the election the 57th Parliament of New South Wales, including all 93 seats in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly and 21 of the 42 seats in the New South Wales Legislative Council.