Sinn Féin will select a candidate to replace Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness in Mid Ulster later this week.
Four candidates, including agriculture minister Michelle O'Neill and sitting assembly member Ian Milne, have been nominated to take part in the race.
The two new contenders are Mid Ulster District Council chair Linda Dillon and party colleague Cáthal Mallaghan, who also sits on the council.
The party currently has three assembly seats in Mid Ulster but may chose to stand four candidates as it did in the 2011 election.
The contest comes after Mr McGuinness revealed he is to step down as one of the area's three sitting assembly members and concentrate on winning a seat in Foyle.
Sinn Féin members from across Mid Ulster will meet in Gulladuff, near Maghera in Co Derry, on Friday to select the successful candidates.
