Kiama will create history with the first female state member set to be voted in at the 13 September by-election.

And while the four leading contenders for the seat are pleased to see strong female representation on the ballot paper, their main focus is delivering on the issues they see as important for the electorate.

Labor’s Katelin McInerney is considered the early favourite to win the seat following the resignation of jailed former independent MP Gareth Ward.

Liberal Party nominee Serena Copley has also been busy on the hustings after launching her campaign last week with independent Kate Dezarnaulds and Greens candidate Tonia Gray can also see a path to victory in an election where the vast majority of the primary vote will be split between this talented quartet.

Three new candidates entered the race this week with the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers endorsing Felix Nelson, small businessman Kyle Napoleoni nominating for Family First and Nowra-born Monaro Councillor Andrew Thaler declaring his intention to upset the applecart as an independent.

Kiama Deputy Mayor Melissa Matters has opted against running but she will be keeping a close eye on whoever wins before deciding whether she will throw her hat into the ring at the full NSW general election in early 2027.

McInerney said it was great to see four capable women in the mix for the seat.

“I think it would be wonderful to see Kiama have its first female representative and that's what the race it's looking like,” she said.

“But I think at the top end of it is that we need someone who could get in and get the job going and who's already working with all levels of government and can get on with doing things and keeping the progress that's been made over the last two years going.

“And that's what I can do, having built those relationships and worked over the last three years as an advocate for the big investment and now delivering on that with Tripoli Way and Calderwood Public School.

“I'm just thrilled that now online as a mum of a five-year-old who is about to head to a public school for big school. These are the kinds of investments that I'm really proud to have been a part of and that we need more of and I'll be an advocate to make sure that that funding's coming down here.”

Copley said she was optimistic about her chances at the by-election after buzzing around the odd boundaries of the state electorate which stretches from Albion Park in the north to the area west of Nowra.

“I think it's fantastic that women are stepping forward to represent our community. I can only speak for myself, but I'm always very supportive of women who want to work for their community, as I do. And we will bring a fresh approach to politics.

“I'm very focused on the community. Always have been, always will be. It's been my community for over 30 years. I love it here, I want to fight for your family just as hard as I want to fight for my family.

“We all deserve to have the best quality of life that we enjoy down here, but we also need to protect it at the same time. I just want to work hard for this community and give back. And I genuinely mean that.”

Dezarnaulds said McInerney, Copley and Gray were “all exceptionally talented and very committed and they really have the interests of Kiama at heart”.

“It is absolutely fantastic that gender will not be an issue in this election campaign and it is amazing the opportunities that come to women when men behave badly,” she said with a wry smile.

“This by-election will be about the issues and I hope that it is a referendum on a broken party political system.

“I do not think there are any bad choices on offer among the four women at this election.

“I think that the community should feel reassured that they are for very community-minded, very hard-working, intelligent and committed people that they are choosing from.”

Dr Gray, who launched her campaign at Minnamurra on Monday, said Kiama was at a moment in history.

“You're going to have, no matter what, a female represent Kiama and that has never, ever happened,” she said.

“So we should be celebrating female leaders at the leadership table.”