Sam Farraway has long dreamed of a career in politics.
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In 2016 he contested the Nationals' preselection to replace retiring Calare MP John Cobb, ultimately losing the vote - and a safe seat in federal parliament - to Orange's Andrew Gee.
And this year Mr Farraway's name appeared on the joint NSW Liberal and Nationals ticket for the federal Senate election, albeit in the unwinnable fifth position.
But that's all in the past for the long-serving Bathurst Agricultural, Horticultural and Pastoral Association president who on Thursday won Nationals preselection to take the place of Niall Blair in the NSW Legislative Council when Mr Blair steps down later this year, bettering Orange's Scott Barrett in the vote.
Mr Farraway, 33, was finally declared the winner from a 10-strong field, though he admitted he was not sure how the vote would go.
"I was putting my best foot forward but I've been through two preselections before and the Nationals is a real grassroots organisation," he said.
"There were 10 very strong candidates and we were in front of a room full of very dedicated and hard-working members so it's very humbling the faith the party has shown in me."
... it's very humbling the faith the party has shown in me.
- MLC-elect Sam Farraway
Mr Farraway said his first move in parliament would be to ask the Nationals' leadership team to make him the duty MLC for Central and Western NSW.
He said the party had to re-engage with rural communities who were struggling with drought.
"They need to turn up, listen to and engage with the agriculture sector," he said.
Mr Farraway, who was first elected president of the AH&P in 2010, said he would stand down from the role at an annual general meeting in coming months to concentrate on his new role.
"We have good people that can step up as president but I will always have something to do with the organisation. It's very close to my heart," he said.
Nationals leader John Barilaro welcomed Mr Farraway, saying he would do an "excellent job representing the people of regional NSW".