Hopefuls trade barbs in race for Rankin

A POTENTIAL successor to retiring MP Craig Emerson says his main rival doesn't have what it takes to keep the safe Labor seat out of coalition hands.

Dr Emerson has announced he will vacate his seat of Rankin, which takes in part of Brisbane and satellite city Logan, at the next election.

The former minister and Julia Gillard-backer made the call after Prime Minister Kevin Rudd won last week's leadership spill.

Jim Chalmers, who has worked as former Treasurer Wayne Swan's chief-of staff, and former federal MP Brett Raguse have both confirmed they will seek pre-selection for the long-held Labor seat.

Indigenous health worker Leanne Enoch has also been named in media reports as a contender, but she is yet to publicly declare her intentions.

Mr Raguse, who lost the neighbouring seat of Forde in 2010, says he has a much higher profile than Dr Chalmers.

He says his profile will help ensure Rankin, which has been in Labor hands since its creation in 1984, isn't seized by Liberal National Party (LNP) candidate and well-known businessman David Lin.

"Jim is a nice guy ... but no one knows him," Mr Raguse told AAP.

"The branchies (branch members) don't know him and this is a crucial election... and we are truly under threat."

Mr Raguse said Mr Rudd contacted him personally to ask him to join and he was sure he would have Dr Emerson's support too if he sought it.

Conversely, Dr Chalmers says he has Dr Emerson's support, but is yet to seek Mr Rudd's.

Dr Chalmers says Mr Raguse doesn't even hail from the electorate.

Meanwhile, he has been hitting the phones garnering support from branch members.

"The support for my candidacy so far has been based on my genuine local credentials, my policy experience, and my passion and energy to represent the community I grew up in," he said.

Comment from Ms Enoch has also been sought.

Ms Enoch, who failed as a candidate in the 2009 Queensland election, gained notoriety after successfully taking legal action against columnist Andrew Bolt for articles he wrote about "fair-skinned" Aborigines.

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