Whitlam votes: The candidates looking to unseat Stephen Jones

Labor MP Stephen Jones has an iron grip on the electorate of Whitlam with any upset in the seat likely to be the result of the election.

There are four candidates lined up to take on senior Labor man Stephen Jones in the seat of Whitlam (previously Throsby) - an electorate that has always returned a red member.

Mr Jones has held the seat for 12 years and is a key figure in the Labor Party as the Shadow Assistant Treasurer and Shadow Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation.

The Nationals polled 25.5 per cent of the vote in 2019, but they won’t be running this time around with the Liberals putting forward local businessman Mike Cains.

The Candidates

Stephen Jones (Labor) - Incumbent

Incumbent Labor Member for Whitlam Stephen Jones. Picture: NCA Newswire/Gary Ramage

Stephen Jones has represented the electorate since 2010, when he won Throsby by 12.1 per cent.

In the 12 years since, Mr Jones has risen to become an integral part of the Labor opposition, holding two shadow ministry positions.

The lifelong Illawarra local is one of the most senior figures in the Labor left, the same faction as leader Anthony Albanese, and has been vocal about a number of progressive issues including same-sex marriage, asylum seekers and the environment.

Michael Cains (Liberal Party)

Michael Cains is the Liberal's pick in Whitlam. Picture: Facebook

The Liberals didn’t put forward a candidate in 2019 with Stephen Wentworth running for the Nationals.

This time the Coalition big brothers have backed local businessman Michael Cains. Mr Cains has worked with companies such as Fairfax and CoreLogic, but for the past decade he and his wife have launched an agricultural start-up.

Mr Cains has stated he wants to advocate a nuclear submarine base in Port Kembla, as well as local businesses and road infrastructure.

Jamie Dixon (Greens)

Jamie Dixon is having his second tilt at Whitlam for the Greens. Picture: Facebook

Jamie Dixon puts his hand up to run again after picking up 9.2 per cent of the vote last time around.

Only a few weeks prior to the last federal election, Mr Dixon ran in the state seat of Shellharbour where he polled a similar percentage of vote.

Mr Dixon is studying a degree in psychology and in his day job, he is a shearer specialising in alpacas with his work having taken him around the globe.

Michael Wheeler (Liberty and Democracy Party)

Lib-Dems candidate for Whitlam Michael Wheeler. Picture: Facebook

Initially from Wagga Wagga, Lib-Dems candidate Michael Wheeler now lives on a small farm in the Southern Highlands.

In a previous life, Mr Wheeler worked in finance and information technology.

He is actively involved in the homeschooling movement and has three home schooled children.

Allan Wode (United Australia Party)

UAP candidate for Whitlam Allan Wode. Picture: Supplied

United Australia Party has had a funny old time in Whitlam with former Labor man Timothy Banfield, Clive Palmer’s party’s initial candidate for the electorate, abandoning the party last month because it was “extremely authoritarian”.

Shellharbour resident Allan Wode has taken up the mantle.

The UAP polled 8.8 per cent three years ago with Angelo Cuda.