Robert Vaz and daughter Ellen Vaz-Jones are standing for opposing tickets in the Orange council elections.

And neither knew about the other’s plans until they read the nominations.

Ms Vaz-Jones said they were up for a tussle as the friendly barbs start flying.

“I didn’t know dad was running until I looked at the ballot draw and vice versa,” she said.

“Dad called me up and said, ‘Hey Ellen I’ve got all the dirt on you.

“There have been friendly threats flying and some idle banter.”

Ms Vaz-Jones is number four on deputy mayor Jason Hamling’s ticket while her dad is number five on Bernard Fitzsimon’s ticket.

They are not the only family combatants in the election.

Cr Hamling’s wife Melissa is number six on his ticket.

Continuing the family focus of the Team Hamling ticket his number three, Kyle Manning has a cousin running for Bathurst council.

And current councillor Kevin Duffy has his wife’s cousin, Jane Patteson, as number two on his ticket.

Ms Vaz-Jones said they hadn’t determined whether there would be a friendly wager on who got the most votes.

“I think I just feel much more confident, I don’t want to crush him.

“Maybe the winner should buy the other a beer.”

Both said the size of the field for this year’s election, a record 88 candidates are standing, showed that there were plenty of people who were positive about the future of Orange and wanted to steer it in the right direction.

She said that all of the people on Cr Hamling’s ticket had young families.

Ms Vaz-Jones said they wanted to help create new jobs to allow their children to stay in Orange and not have to leave in search of work.

“It’s all about our kids staying home.

“At the moment there aren’t all that many opportunities to do that.”

Mr Vaz has been involved with Labor party campaigns before but said this was the first time he had run against his daughter.

“I’m really proud that Ellen’s running for council,” he said.

“It might be the right time for some new blood on the council.

“That’s up to the ratepayers,” he said.