Deb Frecklington heads into Tuesday's Liberal National Party leadership contest with a significant edge over rival John-Paul Langbroek and outsider Mark Robinson, according to party insiders.
Several MPs who spoke to AAP said they expected the leadership vote to be tight, but Ms Frecklington had secured the upper hand by enlisting potential rival Tim Mander to run as her deputy.
Mr Mander's decision to give his support to Ms Frecklington surprised many and some in the party have warned the move could undermine his chances of claiming the leadership in the future.
Nanango-based Ms Frecklington is seen by some as the antidote to the party's problems in rural and regional Queensland, where the party bled support to One Nation, while still being able to engage with voters in the southeast.
Still, at least one MP told AAP not to rule out Gold Coast-based Mr Langbroek, who was ousted by the party executive in 2011 to make way for Campbell Newman, whose biggest asset appears to be his experience.
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Meanwhile, the self-described underdog candidate, Mark Robinson, who is not seen as a serious leadership contender by most, says his support is growing.
"There's been a groundswell of support," Dr Robinson told ABC radio on Monday.
"From an underdog status already there is great momentum towards my attempt to be the leader."
Former shadow attorney general Ian Walker, who lost his seat of Mansfield in last month's election, said the party was "spoilt for choice" with "great candidates".
