Manjimup councillor Wade de Campo suits up for Liberal election stoush for Warren-Blackwood

Shire of Manjimup councillor and former shire president Wade de Campo is likely to step up once again as a Liberal Party candidate, this time for the Labor-held seat of Warren-Blackwood.

While the move was looking likely, official ratification would not occur until party pre-selectors confirm Mr de Campo’s status later this month.

However, Mr de Campo told the Times he was eager for the challenge despite previous attempts.

Mr de Campo lost to Nationals leader Terry Redman in the 2008 election for the since-rebadged seat of Blackwood-Stirling that included Augusta, but not Margaret River.

The Warren-Blackwood electorate has since been redrawn with next year’s election including the entire Shire of Augusta-Margaret River after Cowaramup and Gracetown were removed from Libby Mettam’s seat of Vasse.

Because ratification was not yet official Mr de Campo said he couldn’t comment on the election, due in March next year.

Before 2021, Warren-Blackwood was considered Nationals WA territory but that legacy was overturned when Labor’s Jane Kelsbie rode what was widely considered a wave of pandemic-induced popularity for Mark McGowan’s government.

The Nationals were pinning their chances on fellow Manjimup business operator Bevan Eatts, while the Times last week reported former Extinction Rebellion member Julie Marsh would contest for the Greens.

The Greens were eyeing Warren-Blackwood as their strongest chance for their first Lower House seat in regional WA.

During the 2017 election, the then-shire president Mr de Campo came unstuck when he was exposed on ABC Radio concealing his identity to launch criticisms of the Premier while contesting an Upper House spot.