The candidate spent time in Orange over the weekend ahead of the party's statewide leadership ballot, attending the Stars of Orange Dance for Cancer on Saturday night before having breakfast with local members on Sunday morning alongside member of the legislative council Courtney Houssos.

Branch stand-in president and former state candidate Luke Sanger said he had taken the chance to speak with both candidates for the leadership role over the weekend, with Strathfield MP Jodi McKay in Bathurst for a flying visit.

He backed Mr Minns as a "young, powerful Labor voice" who was the best option for country NSW, but added he had nothing against Ms McKay and thought she would also make a good party leader.

"I've backed Chris [Minns], I was on a tightrope all last week but having spoken to them both, I believe Chris will be a powerful voice," Mr Sanger said.

Over breakfast he and fellow Labor members voiced their concerns to Mr Minns, including ensuring retail businesses were kept in Orange and jobs were still on offer for residents in the city, with employment the branch's main focus, according to Mr Sanger.

Mr Minns is the shadow minister for water, and made water a priority in his visit to Lithgow, Orange and Dubbo.

"Sadly, the National Party has taken rural and regional families for granted and I want to get out into the community and listen to their views," he said.

Mr Sanger said he wanted to ensure Orange wasn't "forgotten" by Labor's head honchos during this term of government.

"We don't want to be forgotten because we have a minor party representing us ... in opposition that does make it a bit more difficult." Mr Sanger said.

He said they also discussed how to turn Labor's electoral fortunes around, at both at a state electorate level and more broadly.

Both Mr Minns and Ms McKay have made regional NSW a focus ahead of the state leadership ballot, with the former saying he would increase the number of mental health councillors and workers in regional areas.

The new leader will be decided by a vote of the parliamentary caucus and the rank-and-file members, with each group having a 50 per cent say. The leader will be announced on June 30.