The Northern Tablelands byelection will be held on May 25 following the resignation of long-term member Richard Torbay in controversial circumstances.

The commission’s website listed Country Labor candidate and Armidale Dumaresq deputy mayor Herman Beyersdorf, and Nationals candidate Adam Marshall, also of Armidale, as two of the candidates registered to date. Inverell-based independent Kathy Nicholson and Greens candidate Dora Koops, of Armidale, are also listed.

Mayor of Armidale Dumaresq Council Jim Maher has also announced he will run against his deputy for the seat as an independent. Dr Maher’s son Simon Maher is a teacher in Tenterfield.

Candidates will go to the polls in the wake of the sudden resignation of Mr Torbay who had been selected as the Nationals candidate for the federal seat of New England in this year’s election. 

Mr Torbay had been linked with former Labor powerbroker Eddie Obeid, who was the subject of a recent Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) investigation.  Mr  Obeid has vehemently denied reports that Mr Torbay had quit parliament and lost his New England candicacy because of allegations Mr Obeid gave him $50,000 in a suitcase.

The byelection brought strong competition between potential Nationals candidate, with former Gunnedah mayor Adam Marshall preselected ahead of former National Farmers’ Federation president Jock Laurie and former teacher and state government adviser Claire Coulton.

Mr Marshall has said his priorities for the Northern Tablelands were improving local health services and more funding for local roads.

“There’s $10 million on the table from the state government for the Armidale Hospital upgrade and I want to get the federal government to come to the table as well,” Mr Marshall said. “If I am  elected next month that will be a top priority.”

Country Labor candidate Herman Beyersdorf is an associate professor at the University of New England and has been on Armidale council for 21 years.

 “This by-election is an opportunity for local residents to send a message to the O'Farrell Stoner Government down in Sydney that we won't stand for huge cuts to our local hospital, schools and primary industries,” Dr Beyersdorf said.

"I know our region needs greater investment in schools to educate our younger generation and better local health resources to meet the needs of our ageing population.”

Independent candidate Dr Maher has been an Armidale councillor for nine years.

Dr Maher said during his time as foundation chairman of the former New England Area Health Service from 1996 to 2000, significant improvements were made at the Tenterfield Hospital, including an upgrade to the aged care section and upgraded maternity unit.

“I also championed the multi-purpose services in New England, which deliver such wonderful care, allowing the elderly to stay in their own communities. Emmaville is a good local example,” he said. 

Dr Maher said he would campaign for regional development, improved health and education, better roads and transport services, enhanced community services, improved crime prevention measures and a fair share of government funding for the electorate. 

Greens candidate Dora Koops  said unemployment would be an election issue, and believes industries in the region could be expanded to provide more employment opportunities.

Ms Koops has also said she supports the federal Greens' call for a moratorium on coal seam gas and a focus on tourism.

Kathy Nicholson is the NSW Teachers’ Federation TAFE organiser and has said she would be campaigning to keep public services in local communities and invest in education.

She said she also wanted to protect agricultural land and water, retain public infrastructure in taxpayers' hands, provide decent services to  families and safeguard communities.