Miners Rest’s Andrew Black, aged 27, was relegated to fifth spot on the ticket ahead of the November state election, behind Ararat Rural City councillor Jo Armstrong who will be listed third after a discretionary decision from senior Nationals figures announced on Friday evening.

Ms Armstrong will be named on the ballot behind sitting Liberal members Simon Ramsay and Josh Morris in the more favourable candidate position.

It will make a tough job for Mr Black, a law teacher at Australian Catholic University, to earn a seat in his bid to become the first sitting Nationals member from Ballarat since Russell White, who held the seat of Ballarat North from 1945 until 1960. 

“Given that the ultimate decision is before the state council, the supreme decision making body of the party, I do not wish to make any comment,” Mr Black told The Courier​ on Saturday.

Mr Black’s supporters had been vocal on social media, pushing for the younger candidate and former Victorian Young Nationals president, to be given the higher spot as he had secured the most delegate votes.

Fairfax Media has been told Mr Black secured 15 delegates in the last round of Nationals pre-selection voting in Ballarat while Ms Armstrong secured nine delegates, with three for Glenelg Shire Councillor Anita Rank.

Mr Black told The Courier earlier this week he was honoured and humbled to get such strong support.

Nationals state president Neil Pankhurst said two outstanding candidates had been chosen by party delegates for the western Victoria for the state election on November 24.

"The Nationals are fighting for a better deal for Regional Victoria and Western Victoria has been let down by this city-centric Andrew's Labor Government,” Mr Pankhurst said in a statement to media.

“I know that Jo and Andrew will be working tirelessly between now and November to support the election of a Liberal National Government.

"I congratulate both Jo and Andrew on their pre-selection and look forward to working with them during the upcoming election campaign."

The Nationals hope to topple Port Fairy-based independent member James Purcell, who pulled off a surprise win in 2014. 

Mr Black, whose family has farmed around Ballarat for 180 years, listed decentralisation, fixing country roads and cost of living issues as key priorities in this year’s election.

Tatyoon farmer Leila McDougall and Warrnambool City councillor Michael Neoh were also among five Nationals candidates standing for pre-selection, but were eliminated in an earlier voting round.

Do you want to make your voice heard? Here is your chance.