Campbell for Ilam

The Herald reports:

National has announced its candidate to compete in Christchurch’s Ilam electorate as it seeks to win back the previously long-held blue seat it lost in the red tidal wave of 2020.

Dr Hamish Campbell, a medical researcher, was selected today by local party delegates from a shortlist of five contenders.

The Ilam electorate was established in 1996 and held by National MP Gerry Brownlee until the 2020 election when he lost to Labour’s Sarah Pallett.

Brownlee announced in August he would go list only at the 2023 election, giving a strong indication he wants to be Speaker should National win in 2023.

Given that history of support for National in the electorate, it was a popular choice for candidates, and Campbell was up against James Christmas, Dale Stephens, Tracy Summerfield and Vanessa Weenink.

That is a great line up of candidates, and it says much about Hamish that he managed to win the nomination in such a quality field.

I know Hamish and he will be a great MP, if he wins Ilam (which is likely).

He has a PhD in molecular biology and has been the deputy head of research for Multiple Sclerosis Australia.