Hanson fan steps up to contest seat

PAULINE Hanson’s One Nation has managed to secure a replacement candidate in the key marginal Townsville-based seat of Thuringowa, where the party was a serious contender in 2017, days before n nomination closed.

Jen Alexander, co-owner of a gel blaster business who admits she’s been a fan of Pauline Hanson since she was about 12, will run for One N Nation in Thuringowa and is expected crime.

One Nation had to move quickly to secure a new candidate when its previous pick, Troy Thompson, was axed by the party in late September after failing to declare parts of his past.

Currently held by Labor’s Aaron Harper, One Nation was a serious contender in the seat in 2017, garnering 45.8 per cent of the vote despite a scandal hit campaign.

Mrs Alexander, 38, ( pictured) who worked in real estate and fito campaign heavily on nance lending, now owns Townsville Gel Blaster Gladiators with her husband Michael, a former defence force paratrooper.

She has come face-to-face with Townsville’s crime issue, including having her home broken into and an incident last year when she was attacked with a knife as thieves tried to steal her car, sustaining a few minor cuts to her stomach and hand while managing to keep her car.

“Things could have turned out far worse and when I look back on the experience, it’s something I’d never like to go through again and nor should anyone else,” she said.

“We need to reverse the reputational damage that’s been caused by a small number of out of control teenagers and put our region back on the map for its sporting prowess, our stunning tourism and manufacturing opportunities here in the North.”

Party matriarch Senator Hanson is expected to campaign in Townsville at some point during the remainder of the campaign.