THE number of candidates putting their hands up for the Dunkley by-election is growing.
Earlier this month, the Labor and Liberal parties each preselected candidates for the upcoming by-election. Labor has picked Women’s Spirit Project founder Jodie Belyea (pictured below left), and Frankston mayor Nathan Conroy will run for the Liberals.
The Libertarian Party, formerly the Liberal Democrats, will contest the seat. Chrysten Abraham (below right) has been confirmed as the party’s candidate.
Abraham, who ran for the seat of Frankston at the 2022 state election, said “I will stand against tax increases and government interference in how we live our lives. Failed government policies are destroying our nation. I’m committed to repairing the economy and restoring power from the government to the people of Dunkley and Australia.”
The Times contacted The Greens to ask if the party was planning to run a candidate in the by-election, but did not receive a response.
Darren Bergwerf – an anti-vax, sovereign citizen conspiracy theorist who founded the My Place fringe group – has told supporters on Facebook that he is considering another tilt for Dunkley. He contested in 2022 and lost comprehensively, but still falsely claimed victory.