Front runners David Layzell and Jeff Drayton ready to seize unexpected political opportunity

"It was always something that I thought may happen in 10, maybe 15 years' time," Nationals candidate David Layzell admitted on Friday.

"It's certainly not something that I ever thought would happen now."

Labor candidate Jeff Drayton said he had held talks with the party in the past but the by-election had fast-tracked his opportunity.

"I had started talking to the party a little while ago before all this came around but it hadn't even entered my mind a couple of months ago," he said. "It's come on a lot quicker.

"The answer I had given the party was 'I'll let you know in a year's time' and 'I'll give you a year's notice'."

The first-time state political candidates spent the final day of pre-polling on Friday in Singleton, the electorate's southernmost major town.

It emerged as the focus for most of the 13 candidates with a host of political heavyweights appearing in town to offer support. Ever-present Deputy Premier John Barilaro was front and centre to help Mr Layzell to the end, while the party also rolled out senator Matt Canavan.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson and state leader Mark Latham were on hand, as was Shooters, Fishers and Farmers leader Robert Borsak, to back Dale McNamara and Sue Gilroy respectively.

However, Premier Gladys Berejiklian was nowhere to be seen and state Labor leader Jodi McKay was canvassing votes 130km away in her home town of Gloucester.

Mr Layzell and Mr Drayton delivered their final pitches to voters on either side of town, expressing their ambition to lead an area they have both always called home.

Mr Drayton, a coal miner and union official, spoke to reporters in Burdekin Park and pleaded for the community to give him a chance.

"I really want the opportunity. I've said all along one of the reasons I've run is because the community, the community I've lived in all my life, how neglected that community has been," he said. "I didn't realise until the last five or six weeks to what extent and how deep that neglect runs. Every area of this community has been left behind, and left behind for a long time. The more you see the neglect, the more determined you become to get in and do something about it."

Across town after a morning working the John Street pre-poll centre, construction manager David Layzell said sticking with a representative in government was the best thing the electorate could do.

"It's time to continue with the strong and safe government we've had," he said.

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