Incumbent MP Bob Baldwin is expected to hold the seat though it is considered marginal for the Coalition and would require a 5.3 per cent swing to unseat him.

Labor candidate Bay Marshall, 70-year-old retired school teacher from Tanilba Bay, declared his candidacy for the seat in April and has been campaigning strongly on Labor’s national plan for school improvement (formerly Gonski) and the National Disability Insurance Scheme. 

Maitland Businessman Jayson Packett declared his candidacy in June as part of Clive Palmer’s Palmer United Party and is campaigning as an alternative to the major parties. He recently called on all Paterson candidates to commit to a debate.

Freelance journalist John Brown, a Maitland resident for 30 years, will be running for the Greens. He contested the local seat of Maitland at the 2011 NSW election.

Peter Davis a Nelson Bay resident who owns and operates a fleet transport company has also registered to run under the Citizens Electoral Council.