Speculation began last night when social media posts suggested that Cr Laws, an Otago regional councillor, is to be announced this Friday as New Zealand First’s candidate for the Waitaki electorate.
On his radio show on The Platform earlier this week, Cr Laws alluded to a pending announcement, without giving details.
He lives in Cromwell, which is in the Waitaki electorate.
Were he to stand, he would be running against sitting National MP Miles Anderson, in an electorate that has been a National stronghold for decades.
Cr Laws today declined to comment.
“I never comment on rumour or speculation. It only encourages them,” he said.
The party’s previous Waitaki candidate has confirmed he is no longer standing.
Stuff approached NZ First leader Winston Peters in Parliament yesterday to ask if Cr Laws was to run.
“What are you talking about, why are you asking me?” Peters told Stuff.
“I’m the leader of New Zealand First, we don’t handle this kind of basic stuff - that is handled by the party.”
Cr Laws began as an MP with National in 1990 and resigned six years later after defecting to New Zealand First.
He later served as Whanganui mayor between 2004-2010.
He has been on the Otago Regional Council since 2016.
Labour list MP and former West Coast/Tasman MP Damien O’Connor is also standing in the Waitaki seat.
The general election will be held on November 7.
