Preselection for Greg Combet's federal seat of Charlton has been won by his former deputy chief of staff Pat Conroy.
NSW Labor announced Mr Conroy's won preselection for the Hunter region seat late on Saturday afternoon on social media site Twitter.
"Congratulations to Pat Conroy, new Labor candidate for Charlton who won the rank-and-file preselection today!"
A Labor spokeswoman said the 34-year-old won the preselection with 57 of 90 votes cast.
Joshua Brown, another former staffer, was the only other candidate, she said.
Lake Macquarie councillor Daniel Wallace pulled out of the race on Thursday after revealing he had two convictions for assault, which occurred in his 20s.
Former climate change minister Greg Combet announced he will retire from politics at the upcoming federal election soon after Kevin Rudd was reinstated as Prime Minister.
But he said his decision has nothing to do with the return of Mr Rudd.
Mr Combet was one of six Gillard government ministers to tender their resignations.
Mr Conroy said he feels honoured that the rank-and-file had chosen him.
"I have been optimistic but ultimately you don't know until the votes are counted," he told AAP.
Mr Conroy said people in the Central Coast seat, which is considered a safe Labor seat, are happy that the party have resolved their leadership disputes.
"What's really apparent is that they don't like Mr Abbott and what he stands for and they want Labor to present a clear alternative."
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