"I have written to the branch members asking for their endorsement," she said.

Her confirmation comes after Shellharbour Mayor Marianne Saliba told Fairfax Media she had been approached to run, but had not given the matter any thought.

"Marianne is quite clearly busy implementing the council's plans," Ms Watson said.

"Marianne and I work very well together and I hope that relationship will continue."

Meanwhile, serial pre-selection candidate and Dapto nurse John Rumble said he had a "strong interest", but was still undecided.

"I have strong support in the branches and have been approached by many branch members, but I haven't made my final decision," he said.

Mr Rumble stood against Ms Watson in 2011 and won the primary vote, but a 20 per cent weighting applied to female candidates meant Ms Watson won pre-selection.

He also stood for the federal seat of Throsby against sitting member Stephen Jones last year, but lost the contest 90-47.

None of the parties have called for pre-selection nominations in Shellharbour so far, despite Liberal sitting member Gareth Ward and Labor candidate Glenn Kolomeitz already confirmed to vie for the seat of Kiama.

While 2011's Liberal candidate Larissa Mallinson will not nominate for this election, Shellharbour councillor Kellie Marsh is undecided.

"Certainly I have thought about it, but I've lost both my parents within 20 days and family's got to come first, and what I feel is the best for the residents of Shellharbour," she said.

Councillor Peter Moran stood for the Greens at the last election, but said he had not decided whether he would nominate.