Malcolm Turnbull-backed independent Kirsty O'Connell admits she is a huge outsider to win Upper Hunter but hopes her candidacy broadened the by-election's focus beyond coal mining.
"That was the point of running, to make sure we started to have that conversation," she said on Friday.
"We've got really serious stuff to deal with here. We've got the Nats, Labor, One Nation and the Shooters all saying 'we want to approve more coal [extraction]'.
"Why are we not having a sensible conversation about a plan for our future?
"Why are we not taking the time to to actually start to invest in and grow those industries that we do so well? Wine-making, horse-breeding, farming and tourism."
Born and raised in Muswellbrook, Ms O'Connell was thrust into the national political spotlight when former prime minister and current Liberal party member Malcolm Turnbull endorsed her campaign.
She said she was pleased to receive the Mr Turnbull's backing and hoped it had worked in her favour.
The fifth-generation farmer admitted running for state parliament had not been on her agenda but she had enjoyed the opportunity.
"It was not in my one-year plan," she said. "It's been an exciting experience and a real eye-opener in terms of just how easily policy can be made and funds can be allocated when you've got a motivated government."
One Nation candidate Dale McNamara, a Singleton businessman, said on Friday the major parties could not keep "turning up and promising stuff they don't deliver".
"The guys that are running our state, if they were running a business, there would be an administrator at the door," he said.
"I'm going to fight for the Upper Hunter, for jobs, for farmers and their land."
