NSW Labor will challenge for the state seat of Bega after outgoing MP and former transport minister Andrew Constance announced his intention to run federally.
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NSW Labor leader Chris Minns says the party will run a candidate, but Labor is "under no illusions about our chances" in the seat which the party has never held.
"It will be almost impossible to win, but the people of Bega deserve a choice," Mr Minns said on Thursday.
He says his party is "starting from a long way behind" and "will have to work for every single vote that we get and to regain the trust of voters".
Mr Minns will travel to Bega on the weekend to canvass issues with local businesses and community groups.
A decision is yet to be made on who the candidate will be.
Leanne Atkinson has contested the seat for Labor at the previous three elections since 2011.
Mr Constance was considered a potential contender for the premiership following the resignation of Gladys Berejiklian last month but instead announced he would run for the federal seat of Gilmore, now held by Labor's Fiona Phillips.
It was the only seat Labor took off the coalition at the 2019 election, with a 3.3 per cent swing.
Mr Constance will still have to win Liberal pre-selection but has the backing of Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
The decision to run for Gilmore came after Mr Constance previously sought pre-selection to contest the Eden-Monaro by-election last year, but pulled out of the race within 24 hours.
At the 2019 election Bega swung towards Labor by 1.26 per cent on a two-party-preferred basis, following a 10.3 per cent swing towards Labor in 2015.
Both parties will likely also run against the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party, which attracted 6.46 per cent of the vote at its first showing in 2019.
No date has been set for a number of NSW by-elections that have to be held in the seats of Bega, Willoughby, Holsworthy, Strathfield, and Monaro.
The by-elections are required following a number of resignations in the Legislative Council, including Mr Constance, Ms Berejiklian, Melanie Gibbons, former deputy premier John Barilaro and former Labor leader Jodi McKay.
Mr Constance and Ms Gibbons are both seeking federal parliament seats.
Ms Berejiklian resigned following the announcement she would face an Independent Commission Against Corruption inquiry, and Mr Barilaro announced his retirement soon after.
Ms McKay stood down as Labor leader following poor results in the Upper Hunter by-election in May and recently flagged she wanted out of politics.
Australian Associated Press
