By AUDREY YOUNG
National Party presidential challenger Michelle Boag won the nomination of another region yesterday, making it three to one in her favour.
But the combined votes of the regions, with one to go, suggest the final contest in July may be close.
The southern conference in Invercargill voted 39 votes to
30 to nominate her.
She now has the support of central North Island, lower North Island and southern with a total of 329 votes.
Incumbent John Slater won the nomination of just one, northern, but is not far behind with a total 284 votes.
The votes cast in regional conferences do not bind delegates at the national conference in July, where one vote will decide the matter.
The remaining regional conference, Canterbury-Westland next weekend, is expected to be close.
Mr Slater is confident of winning there because the region has supported him in two previous presidential contests.
"The feedback I've had is that it will certainly go my way at the national conference."
