A long and controversial Labor preselection process finally came to end when the Kiama councillor was endorsed with a vote of 50-14 over Culburra real estate agent Glenn Sims. The preselection vote came after a revolt of rank and file members led to the sudden withdrawal of former Rabbitohs rugby league star David Boyle as Labor candidate and just eight days after the ousting of former prime minister Kevin Rudd.

Mr Reilly believes the momentum building behind the new Prime Minister Julia Gillard gives him a big chance of ousting Mrs Gash from the seat she has held since 1996.

As Labor candidate in 2007 Mr Reilly took more than 5 per cent off Mrs Gash's two-party preferred margin and the electorate's redistribution has made the seat notionally Labor by a knife-edge 0.3 per cent.

"Jo is a person I have a great regard for ... however her party's ideas have failed and it is now time for some fresh things for Gilmore," Mr Reilly said.

"Having a Gillard government means there is renewed focus on improving the economy and services for Australians."

Mr Reilly was expecting an election to be called soon and was hopeful of securing a prime ministerial visit to the region.

Mrs Gash played down the impact the rise of Ms Gillard would have on her chances, with early polls indicating the change of leadership had hurt Opposition Leader Tony Abbott.

"I will be ready regardless of who is prime minister," Mrs Gash said.

She said people were more interested in issues that directly affected them.

"I'll continue to work hard to prove my credibility, particularly at the north of the electorate," she said.

She expects the election to be called soon.

Gilmore's electorate boundaries may have changed, but the list of candidates mirrors 2007, with Kiama Deputy Mayor Ben van der Wijngaart, the Greens candidate, also recontesting the seat.