The former Border Mail editor was set to run as number two on Cr Kevin Mack’s Albury Council ticket, but has withdrawn from the race due to a “conflict of interest”.

Ms Thomas released a statement saying she had been excited to run for Albury so her withdrawal was disappointing.

“I have made the difficult decision to set aside my council ambitions for the time being,” she said.

Cr Mack unveiled his reshuffled team on Tuesday.

“Unfortunately we had a bit of a dropout last night but that’s OK, Di’s got more important things to worry about, being her employment, which I understand fully,” he said.

“It was totally unexpected.”

Ms Thomas approached Cr Mack to be on council and he said she would have made a great candidate.

“It’s a shame and 24 hours out from the close of the ballot I’ve had to do some reshuffling of the deckchairs,” he said.

“She felt the potential employers, and there are a number of jobs she would be applying for, would be OK with it … my understanding is she felt she’d be able to get across the line.”

Cr Mack said it would be up to Ms Thomas to announce the new job.

The Border Mail understands she will take the position as Indi MP Cathy McGowan’s new chief of staff.

Ms McGowan would not confirm the appointment, saying “the chief of staff position is one of several positions being filled at the moment”.

Ms Thomas did not return a call requesting comment.

Cr Mack’s new ticket included Table Top surgeon John Stuchbery, Thurgoona’s Diane Ovens, Cr Ross Jackson and former Albury Thunder coach Josh Cale.

Cr Jackson said he decided to not run on his own ticket, and only sit at number four for Cr Mack, because he wanted to devote more time to his young family and other business and community commitments.

Cr Mack said the plan for Albury’s pools would be a key issue of the campaign and wanted to see the current pools remain.

“That is the central point of Albury,” he said.

“I had no issue with the current group of councillors being returned, we’ve done a wonderful job over the past four years.”