Former Liberal strategist, polling company owner Brad Stansfield in Senate tilt
Brad Stansfield says he plans to stand for Liberal preselection for a Tasmanian Senate seat. (ABC News)
In short:
Brad Stansfield, a former strategist for the Liberals, turned political commentator and polling company owner, says he is "worried about the future" of the party and will stand for Senate preselection.
On Friday, Mr Stansfield told his podcast audience: "Either I keep on yelling at them through this pod and other mechanisms, or I ask to be invited inside the tent and see if I can make a difference from there."
What's next:
Tasmanian Senator Wendy Askew has announced she will not be recontesting her seat at the next federal election, which must be held on or before May 20, 2028
Tasmanian political strategist and polling company owner Brad Stansfield has announced he will stand for preselection to contest a Senate seat at the next federal election.
Mr Stansfield advised the Tasmanian Liberals through successful state election campaigns from 2014 to 2024.
He was chief of staff to former Liberal premier Will Hodgman for eight years, and former Liberal senator Eric Abetz between 2007 and 2010.
Brad Stansfield watches the result unfold during the 2025 Tasmanian state election. (ABC News: Luke Bowden)
Mr Stansfield currently heads up the EMRS polling firm and was a partner in the public relations company Font PR, which wound up late last year.
Mr Stansfield is also the co-owner of a suite of regional Tasmanian newspapers.
He made the announcement yesterday evening via political podcast Poll Position, which he co-hosts with fellow political commentator and former WIN News executive Alex Johnston.
The Liberal Party will still need to choose whether to endorse Mr Stansfield as their election candidate.
'Worried' about nation's future
Mr Stansfield, a critic of Hobart's Macquarie Point stadium plan, said he was concerned about the future of the Liberal Party, and that of the country.
"Senate preselections have opened, and I have decided to throw my hat into the ring," Mr Stansfield said.
"As people know, I've said it on this podcast, I've written it in columns, I've told anyone who will listen, I am genuinely worried about the future of the Liberal party.
"I'm genuinely worried about the future of the country, if the Liberal party can't get itself sorted out before the next election.
"I've formed the view that if a potential opportunity comes along, either I keep on yelling at them through this pod and other mechanisms, or I ask to be invited inside the tent and see if I can make a difference from there."
He said he could not say more due to party rules prohibiting commenting.
It comes with recent news broken by the ABC that current Liberal Tasmanian Senator Wendy Askew will not recontest her seat.
Senator Askew has two years of her term left before the next federal election.
Political analyst Kevin Bonham said the second Liberal seat that was up for reelection was in danger of falling to One Nation.
He argued that candidate names were not a major factor in Senate races, with voters more likely to follow party lines.
Tasmania has four Liberal senators — Claire Chandler, Richard Colbeck, Jonno Duniam, and Wendy Askew.
Preselection for Liberal Senate candidates will be held later this year.