WA Liberals have officially endorsed Dunsborough's Libby Mettam as the party's candidate for the Vasse by-election on October 18.
The former journalist and media adviser to South West MLC Barry House is capitalising heavily on the local popularity of her predecessor Troy Buswell, who resigned earlier this month after holding the seat for almost a decade.
Ms Mettam, 37, has already met with Premier Colin Barnett to discuss key issues in the electorate, which extends from north of Busselton to just south of Margaret River.
It includes Busselton, Vasse, Dunsborough, Quindalup, Yallingup, Jarrahwood, Cowaramup, Gracetown and part of Witchcliffe.
"Troy Buswell achieved a lot as the Liberal member for Vasse and I very much welcome his personal support for me," she said.
"I spoke to the premier last night about support for the region's education needs, particularly the expansion of West Busselton Primary School.
"We also need support for economic drivers to sustain our growing population and the Busselton Airport expansion is high on that list."
With Labor choosing not to field a candidate, Ms Mettam will run against the Nationals WA candidate, Busselton caf owner Peter Gordon, and Greens candidate Michael Baldock.
Mr Baldock lives in Dunsborough and has been partner in a structural engineering consultancy in Busselton for the last 17 years.
He said he hoped to build on the strong local Greens vote in the recent Senate election.
"Acknowledging the connection between a strong community, healthy environment and a sustainable economy is the key to our future," Mr Baldock said.
"For Busselton our local economy is dependent on a healthy Geographe Bay and we must also ensure community needs are not ignored or pushed aside in favour of big business."
Mr Gordon, 49, owns beachfront Equinox Caf and Stilts on Broadwater in Busselton, is past president of the Busselton Chamber of Commerce and Industry and a past board member of the Geographe Bay Tourism Association.
Nationals WA president Colin de Grussa said Mr Gordon was an ideal candidate for Vasse, with strong links to regional WA and close ties with the South West community.
"With a diverse background in agriculture, small business, tourism, family life and grassroots community involvement, Peter is an experienced and capable individual to represent the people and interests of Vasse," Mr de Grussa said.
The state secretary of WA Labor, Simon Mead, said the party would not stand a candidate due to the extremely safe nature of the Liberal-held seat.
"WA Labor's resources will remain focused on winning the next general state election due in March, 2017," Mr Mead said.
