Kangaroo Island marathon founder Nathan Godfrey told Liberal Party colleagues on Tuesday that he has withdrawn his nomination for preselection in Mayo.

His decision leaves the preselection contest between outspoken Adelaide City Councillor Henry Davis and conservative backed staffer Zane Basic.

The winner will take on Independent MP Rebekha Sharkie at the next federal election.

Sharkie, who has held the former blue-ribbon Liberal seat of Mayo since 2016, has already signalled her intention to run again.

Godfrey is a former public servant and currently a general manager at Football Australia. His nomination in Mayo took party insiders by surprise given his status as a relative political newcomer unaligned with factions.

Nathan Godfrey watching a game of rugby in Christchurch with wife Heike Jensen and their daughter. Photo: Wikimedia Commons/Sportswikifan

In a statement sent to InDaily on Wednesday, Godfrey hinted at frustrations with party unity in the seat.

“Based on preliminary conversations with members and general observations formed throughout the selection process, I believe we have more work to do in terms of unifying the Party in Mayo,” he said.

“I’ve worked as a senior sports executive for over a decade. Winning sports teams share common traits, and one of those traits is unity.

“There are many shades of blue, but ultimately, blue is blue.

“I believe my leadership skills are transferable, but as a relative unknown in politics, I’m committed to building stronger relationships inside the Party – with a view to making a serious bid to win in the next election cycle.”

Godfrey’s statement comes after the Liberal Party’s Mayo Federal Electorate Convention (FEC) underwent a conservative takeover at its most recent annual general meeting (AGM).

The Right faction won a “clean sweep” of internal elections for Mayo FEC president, membership officer and state delegate positions, InDaily reported in June.

The result is similar to what happened last month within the party’s State Electorate Convention (SEC) in Heysen, which sits within Mayo.

Former Health Minister Stephen Wade – a leading moderate – ran for SEC president but was defeated by a relatively low-profile conservative candidate, Shawn Van Groesen.

But one senior party source played down concerns about party unity in the Adelaide Hills and suggested Godfrey’s resignation was more to do with his status as a newcomer needing to build more relationships in the party.

“AGM season and preselections always bring the best and worst out in the party,” they said.

“You put the two out at the same time, there’s always going to be bit more… competitive tension between the two factions.”

Godfrey is understood to be open to running for the Liberal Party again.

“I think his time will come,” the source said.

“He’s got to do the work internally to see that outcome and step into the opportunities that will be there for him.”

The conservatives’ increased presence within local branches has allowed them to flex their muscle at State Council – the Liberal Party’s governing body – which in March elevated conservative leader and senator Alex Antic to the number one spot on the Senate ticket ahead of moderate and former minister Anne Ruston.

Basic, who is understood to have the backing of Antic in Mayo, declined to comment.

Davis, a lawyer, who has previously been happy to provide a running commentary on his preselection ambitions, also declined to comment on Wednesday.

The Liberal Party’s Candidate Review Committee is currently vetting Davis and Basic ahead of convening an electoral college to preselect a candidate.