By Cameron Atfield
Former Queensland premier Campbell Newman has ruled himself out of the running for the federal seat of Brisbane, as Trevor Evans emerged as the likely Liberal National Party candidate.
There was some speculation Mr Newman could throw his hat in the ring for the federal campaign following incumbent MP Teresa Gambaro's decision to retire from politics at the next election.
No Can Do. Campbell Newman has ruled out a tilt at federal politics.Credit: Renee Melides
But the former premier and lord mayor of Brisbane confirmed to News Corp on Thursday afternoon he would not run and that he would support Mr Evans in his bid.
Mr Evans, the National Retail Association chief executive, has emerged at the most likely candidate for the seat going into the next election.
National Retail Association chief executive Trevor Evans is expected to win LNP preselection for Brisbane.
Mr Evans, who last year came close to launching what would likely have been a successful preselection challenge against Ms Gambaro, told his staff on Thursday that he intended to nominate.
As per LNP rules, Mr Evans was not able to make public comments about the process.
Mr Newman was always considered an unlikely candidate, with several LNP figures telling Fairfax Media on Wednesday the former premier was enjoying post-political life.
Other contenders were believed to be former state Brisbane Central MP Robert Cavallucci and former Young LNP president Luke Barnes.
Labor candidate for Brisbane Pat O'Neill.
Labor has preselected army major Pat O'Neill for the inner-city Brisbane seat.
Mr Evans' preselection would be historically significant, as it would be the first time in Australian political history the two major parties' candidates were both openly gay.