Jodi McKay: Liberals looking for candidate to run in Strathfield by-election

There are reportedly few Liberal frontrunners in line to take on the race for Jodi McKay’s seat of Strathfield with sources fearing it is “unwinnable” if a local Labor mayor runs.

Jodi McKay’s seat is being touted as almost unwinnable by the Liberal Party with no real frontrunner emerging to try and snatch the seat of Strathfield at the coming by-election.

While the Labor Party is sorting through several candidates to replace the former opposition leader local Liberal sources believe the party will not be mounting a vigorous campaign to take the seat.

One said the seat would be “unwinnable” if Labor mayor of Burwood John Faker put his hand up to replace Jodi McKay.

Mr Faker told the Inner West Courier last week he was considering running in the seat but wanted to speak to “community leaders” before nominating.

Potential candidates for Labor to replace Jodi McKay in Strathfield, including John Faker (left).

The Burwood mayor reportedly has strong local support within the inner west branches of the Labor Party who are urging him to run for state parliament.

Labor holds the seat with a 5 per cent margin won by Ms McKay when she was the opposition spokeswoman for transport at the 2019 election.

The last Liberal to run for the seat was Philip Madirazza, a current Canterbury-Bankstown councillor who lost to Ms McKay two years ago.

One of only a few names being rumoured is Natalie Baini, a sports administrator who was earlier this year also being touted to challenge fellow federal Liberal member for Reid Fiona Martin for preselection.

Ms McKay resigned from parliament after several months on the back bench. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Dylan Coker

It comes as the party is reportedly not going to endorse candidates for December’s council elections in the inner west, which are all currently controlled by either Labor or Greens mayors.

One source said the Liberals would not be endorsing Strathfield, Inner West and Burwood candidates in the elections over a “factional dispute”.

Ms McKay announced her resignation earlier this month but has yet to reveal why she chose to call time on her political career.

The Strathfield by-election will be one of five to kick off reportedly on the same day after a flurry of government MPs called time in recent weeks, including former premier Gladys Berejiklian said she was standing down.