Mr Alexander ended months of speculation about his future by telling constituents on Friday afternoon he would not contest the election.
Liberal MP John Alexander will not contest the next election.Alex Ellinghausen
Potential contenders for Liberal Party selection to contest the seat include tech executive and former political adviser Gisele Kapterian and City of Sydney councillor Craig Chung.
“I make this announcement now in fairness to those who may be interested in nominating for party preselection,” Mr Alexander said in an email to supporters and constituents in Bennelong on Friday.
“I care about the future of Bennelong and want the best possible party candidates competing in a fair contest for the honour of potentially representing our community.
“Alongside representing Australia in tennis,serving you and representing our community here in Bennelong has been one of the greatest honours of my life.“
Mr Alexander regained the seat for the Liberals at the 2010 election after Labor swept into power at the 2007 election by toppling former prime minister John Howard,who had held Bennelong since 1974 but lost the seat to Labor candidate and former ABC host Maxine McKew.
“Winning back Bennelong wasn’t easy. But we got there through hard work and perseverance,” Mr Alexander said in his email on Friday.
“Doorknocking over 10,000 homes in the process,I committed to listen,listen and listen again.
“I’m proud to have represented local issues vociferously,particularly my support of multiculturalism,recognition of the Armenian genocide,and support for our innovative businesses especially from Macquarie University and Macquarie Park.”
The message highlighted the challenge of holding a seat that has been considered marginal in the past even though Mr Alexander built a strong personal support base.
Labor candidate Brian Owler,a neurosurgeon and former president of the Australian Medical Association,gained a 2.8 per cent swing against the government at the last election.
Even so,the Liberal Party holds the seat by a margin of 6.9 per cent after preferences. Labor is yet to choose a candidate for the next election,which is expected between March and May.
Liberals named Ms Kapterian as the front-runner for the party preselection,which is expected to be a plebiscite that gives local party members a majority.
Currently an executive at software company Salesforce,Ms Kapterian was an adviser to former foreign minister Julie Bishop and former trade minister Steve Ciobo and has strong connections in the local Armenian community.
Mr Chung,a solicitor and barrister,was a councillor on Ryde Council for four years to 2016 before running for the City of Sydney council.
One factor in the outcome may be a push by some Liberals for a woman to represent the seat,given that every one of the party’s federal seats north of Sydney Harbour and south of the Central Coast is held by a man.