Upset Choice By Party (Press, 26 March 1975)
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Summary: Upset Choice By Party (Press, 26 March 1975)
On 25 March 1975, in a surprising turn of events for New Zealand politics, the National Party selected 22-year-old Marilyn Waring as its candidate for the Raglan electorate in the upcoming General Election. This selection marks a historic moment, as Waring is believed to be the youngest woman ever chosen for such a rural seat in New Zealand political history. The announcement came after a lengthy electoral process in which Waring outpaced four male competitors during a two-hour ballot, ultimately emerging successful. D. J. Carter, the retiring Member of Parliament and former Minister of Agriculture, labelled Waring's selection as "revolutionary," reflecting the significance of her candidacy in a traditionally male-dominated political landscape. Waring, who currently works as a parliamentary research unit officer in Wellington, was not initially viewed as a strong candidate for Raglan, primarily due to her young age and gender. However, the party's electorate secretary, L. Riddell, expressed both shock and delight at her selection, acknowledging the unexpected but positive nature of the decision. The Raglan electorate has a history of National Party dominance; under Mr Carter's leadership, it increased its majority in the 1972 elections following a favourable boundary change. With the National Party's stronghold in the region, Waring's selection significantly enhances her chances of securing a seat in Parliament. Waring holds an honours degree in political science from Victoria University and has furthered her studies in politics while in Britain and Europe. Her academic background, combined with her groundbreaking selection, positions her as a distinctive figure in the political landscape of New Zealand.
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