Council & Politics
27 July, 2026
Lowan remains a desert for political candidates
THE safe National Party seat of Lowan isn’t attracting much interest with an election just four months away. Unlike the neighbouring marginal seat of Ripon where five candidates have already been announced, Lowan has just one confirmed contender, sitting MP Emma Kealy.
Ms Kealy holds the third safest seat in Victoria with a margin of 21.6% meaning it is unlikely she will face any significant challenge.
But with One Nation continuing to poll well across Australia, political observers say it is unusual the party hasn’t put someone up before now.
Labor, the Greens and Shooters, Farmers and Fishers are all likely to contest the electorate.
The Stawell Times-News understands former Horsham Councillor Claudia Haenel has nominated for Labor Party preselection and will be announced as the parties candidate in coming weeks.
Ms Haenel was elected to Horsham Council in 2020 and served four years before losing her seat in 2024.
She stood as an independent candidate in the Federal seat of Mallee in 2022, receiving 2.1% of the vote.
Read More: Stawell