Julian Sheezel​ has quit the Senate race and will  return to work as Kelly O'Dwyer's​ chief of staff, less than a week after it was confirmed he had taken leave from her office to run for Parliament.

Mr Sheezel will resume working in the Assistant Treasurer and Small Business Minister's office on Monday. Sources close to the minister downplayed Mr Sheezel's brief departure from her office, saying it had occurred over the quiet Christmas break.

Mr Sheezel took unpaid leave just two months after joining Ms O'Dwyer as her chief of staff and five months before her first budget. But after reflecting over the holiday period, he as now decided to quit his bid for a political role.

One senior Liberal told Fairfax Media "Sheezel's run for the Senate was about as successful as the Bay of Pigs invasion".

Mr Sheezel would have enjoyed the support of the so-called Costello faction headed by senator Mitch Fifield, but he would have faced a fierce battle against internal rivals pitching a campaign to see more women elected to Parliament.  A recent Liberal Party report found the party needed more female representation and called for 50-50 representation by 2025. Liberal has just six female senators, compared with Labor's 15.

Nominations have not yet opened for the number one spot left vacant by the retirement of Michael Ronaldson​. When they do, Jane Hume, now Liberal's number three candidate on the ticket is expected to contest the number one position. If she is successful, there is the possibility the Liberals could run an all-female ticket for the Victorian Senate ticket, with Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie at number two and local councillor Karina Okotel at number three.

Freedom Commissioner Tim Wilson is sounding out potential support for a run, but has not yet publicly declared his intentions.  There would be immense political and public pressure for him to quit his taxpayer-funded job at the Human Rights Commission if he were to run and many Victorian Liberals privately doubt he will end up nominating.

Mr Wilson's former Institute of Public Affairs colleague James Paterson is also contesting along with previous two-time candidate Sean Armistead​.  Both are considered outside chances.

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