Long time Swifts Creek resident, Steven Richardson, will challenge Gippsland East sitting member, Tim Bull, at the State election later this month.
Mr Richardson, who was educated in Swifts Creek, is contesting the seat for the Labor Party.
He was endorsed by the party’s national executive this week.
It’s understood there were no other nominations.
A former electrician, who retired four years ago, to spend more time running his small farm, believes Gippsland East needs to become a swinging electorate in order to attract more revenue to East Gippsland.
“We get ignored by the major parties up here because we have been a safe National Party seat for years,” Mr Richardson told the Advertiser.
“We need to be a swinging electorate to get the most out of it.”
Mr Richardson said there were “subtle differences in funding to East Gippsland” compared to other electoral areas.
The father of four children, three boys and a girl, Mr Richardson has a busy life with his involvement in community and sporting organisations.
Every year his private land is utilised as the Tambo Valley Racing Track, he is a life member of the Swifts Creek Football-Netball Club, president of the Swifts Creek Recreation Reserve, president of the Swifts Creek Residents Action Group, and an active member of both the Swifts Creek Timber Transition Committee and the Benambra Mine Community Reference Group.
Mr Richardson also finds time to volunteer as a life guard at the Swifts Creek Swimming Pool.
He believes community representation is paramount in regions like East Gippsland.
The Greens Party is also fielding a candidate in Nissa Ling, an early childcare educator from the greater Gippsland area.
Ms Ling, aged 34, is the mother of two children and is thrilled to be raising her children in a community she “cares so deeply for”.
Ms Ling is passionate about getting real action on climate change and addressing the rising cost of living.
She says communities, like East Gippsland, are sick of being taken for granted by the major parties.
Ricky Muir will again stand for the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party.
In his early 40s, Mr Muir, from Maffra, previously served as a Senator for Victoria between 2014-2016.
Muir was elected to the Senate during the 2013 Federal election, standing for the Australian Motoring Enthusiast Party.
The Victorian timber worker unsuccessfully stood as a candidate for the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party during the 2019 Federal election.
Representing the Animal Justice Party is Sally Court from Sale.
Ms Court has lived in Gippsland for almost two decades, working for government departments, and is determined to end the use of animals for entertainment purposes, including horse racing, rodeos and greyhound racing.
As a strong and informed voice on animal issues, Ms Court dreams of a society where all species are respected, and kinder solutions are found for animals over profit.
