FORMER Millicent resident Andrew Stratford will stand for Nick Xenophon’s SA Best party in the seat of Kavel at the state election in March.
The 57-year-old was a Liberal Party candidate on its Legislative Council ticket at the last poll in 2014.
Kavel is being vacated by Liberal MP and former frontbencher Mark Goldsworthy and the Liberal Party has endorsed Mount Barker lawyer Dan Cregan as its candidate.
The South Eastern Times previously reported Mr Stratford had been in discussions with Mr Xenophon.
Mr Stratford is confident his fledgling party can win the seat which has been a Liberal Party stronghold since its creation in 1970.
Among his supporters will be ex-Liberal staffer and now Nick Xenophon Team MHR Rebekah Sharkie whose federal electorate of Mayo takes in the state electorate of Kavel.
As his candidacy was announced on the weekend, Mr Stratford told The South Eastern Times he is about to move into campaign mode over the coming two months.
Mr Stratford said his working situation gave him flexibility to campaign.
“We have rallied a large campaign team and appointed a manager,” Mr Stratford said.
“We will be having many opportunities to meet the public.”
According to Mr Stratford, Adelaide Hills was undergoing a significant amount of growth and it was important to keep pace in such infrastructure requirements as transport, health and sport and recreation.
“I have always had a deep passion for the local community.
“Kavel has always been a safe Liberal seat but I felt it has been left behind.
“Nick Xenophon and his SA Best Party are an opportunity for change as a third major party.”
Mr Stratford said he was unaware of any current polling figures for Kavel and would not be drawn on the possible loss of the local seat of MacKillop which takes in his home town of Millicent.
The SA Best Party has a policy position of cutting 14 seats in the House of Assembly with MacKillop likely to link up either with Mount Gambier or Murray Bridge under such a scenario.
Mr Stratford said there is no SA Best Party candidate yet in place for MacKillop.
His family has lived in Millicent for generations and been prominent in various community spheres.
After receiving his education at Millicent North Primary School and Millicent High School, Mr Stratford worked on a mixed farm, gaining experience in dairying, beef cattle, sheep, cropping and packaging
He also worked for 10 years for ETSA in the building and maintaining of rural and regional power networks.
With his late wife and their three daughters, Mr Stratford left Millicent in 1989 to live in the Adelaide Hills.
Mr Stratford has since worked in the private sector including his own retail newsagency business in Woodside.
At present, Mr Stratford has his own business and also works in sales with a pool company.
In following the interests of his children, Mr Stratford became involved with the Onkaparinga swimming, woodside netball and Mount Pleasant pony clubs.
His community service has included membership of the Adelaide Hills Council as the Onkaparinga Ward representative for the past 13 years and a stint as its deputy mayor.
Among his other community interests is the chairmanship of the Adelaide Hills Swimming Centre.
Mr Stratford has been a board member with Mount Barker GP Care as well as Adelaide Hills Regional Development and the Adelaide Hills Road Safety Group.
He has also contributed to many fundraising events across the district through sponsorships from his business activities and donating his time and skills as a well known MC for many community events.
One of the three sons of Ruth and the late Barry Stratford, the aspiring politician lives on a small rural property outside of Woodside.
