Liberals and Nationals battle for Port Macquarie this NSW election in first three-cornered contest since 1999

Both major conservative parties are running in the seat of Port Macquarie at the NSW election. (ABC Mid North Coast: Alexandra Jones)

The seat of Port Macquarie is setting the stage for the first contest of its kind at a New South Wales election this century, putting a spotlight on mounting divisions in the state's Coalition over policy and identity.

The current member for the Mid North Coast seat, Leslie Williams, was voted in for her third term as a member of the National Party in 2019.