Media reports on the weekend claimed the Bega MP had been “wooed” to run for the marginal seat.

Sitting MP Ann Sudmalis announced she would not recontest the position at the next federal election last month.

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Mr Constance said he intended to focus on his Macquarie Street role, representing the people of Bega and the March state election in a press conference on Monday morning.

“I’m not going to verify (the rumours) because the reality is we’re focused on a great state team and we’re going to get on with it,” he said. 

“I get asked a lot of questions every day. I can assure you that no one from head office has approached me to run for Gilmore.”

The minister told Fairfax Media in July that he wanted to achieve more in the region.

“My focus now is to get money out the door and get things built,” he said.

The Liberal party would need to reopen nominations if Mr Constance was to run for the seat.

The outgoing MP Ms Sudmalis slammed Illawarra MP Gareth Ward, accusing him of bullying "strong women" and subsequently pushing her out of politics when she announced her resignation.

Ms Sudmalis said the behaviour of the Parliamentary Secretary of the Illawarra had affected her mental health and her decision had nothing to do with her "friend" Scott Morrison taking over the leadership of the country.

She used parliamentary privilege to accuse Mr Ward of branch-stacking and leading a campaign of misinformation. 

Mr Ward denied Ms Sudmalis’ claims levelled against.

Milton real estate agent Grant Schultz has nominated for preselection as the Liberal candidate for Gilmore following Ms Sudmalis’ unexpected retirement.

The Melbourne-born, Cootamundra-raised contender worked for the Australian Federal Police for nearly 30 years, where he was deployed to East Timor three times. He moved to Milton in 2009, and established a real estate agency in 2012.

Liberals hold the seat with a 0.7 per cent margin.