Watch: Kate Washington and Jaimie Abbott respond to the issues of Port Stephens in the 2019 NSW state election

A NSW election is looming and the Port Stephens is seen as a key seat in the Hunter by both the Labor and Liberal parties.

As a result, the politicians, and the promises, have been pouring into the Port area in recent weeks. 

Labor's Kate Washington holds the seat, but Liberal candidate Jaimie Abbott believes she can win over the voters at the March 23 poll.

In two interviews with the Newcastle Herald, the candidates respond to the pressing issues in the Port Stephens electorate including the promises to build a new TAFE campus, duplication Nelson Bay Road, and the sale of the Mambo wetlands.

Herald journalist Scott Bevan spoke with Kate Washington and Jaimie Abbott. 

In other election news

• Josh Angus stakes claim for Nationals in Cessnock amid Coalition friction
• An open invitation to Gladys Berejiklian and Andrew Constance to address key Hunter issues
• Port Stephens voters could hold the key to the state election ballot box
• Mark Latham unveils Maitland One Nation candidate, Shooters rule out Upper Hunter preference deals
• Lake Macquarie MP Greg Piper says car parks needed at Cardiff, Morisset and Fassifern train stations
• Party politics in full swing in Hunter as Nationals, Liberals weigh up Cessnock candidate