Town Hall ready to rock: Elvis Martin joins the Melbourne council election race

A young Elvis has joined the council election fray — with a high-profile endorsement from none other than former lord mayor Sally Capp.

Elvis has the City of Melbourne election campaign all shook up, entering the council race – and with a high-profile endorsement.

Elvis Martin, a 29-year-old community advocate, is running in the October council election in a bid to become an independent councillor.

And he has the backing of former lord mayor Sally Capp.

“He’s a fantastic candidate for councillor,’’ she told the Herald Sun.

Elvis Martin is running in the council election.

“Elvis is already a great leader in our city in many ways and he’s been brave enough to put his hand up — and I think that deserves support.

“I got to know him during my role as lord mayor … I’m really encouraging of him.’’

But Ms Capp, who was appointed a Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow at the University of Melbourne earlier this month, said she still endorsed her former deputy Nick Reece in the mayoral race.

Ms Capp handed over the mayoral robe and gold chains to Mr Reece in July after six years in the city’s top job.

Mr Martin’s ticket, unveiled on Tuesday night, includes former Manningham councillor Sophy Galbally, Mavi Singh, Jing Lin, Paul Moore and Melissa Rymer.

Ms Capp took to the stage at the event to introduce Mr Martin to the crowd, praising his courage to stand for office.

“I want to say thank you to Elvis for putting his hand up,” she said.

“When he rang me and said I want to go for Melbourne City Council, I said: ‘Yay! Awesome!’ because it is the sort of leadership that we need.

“Leadership that does have the experience, that has the courage but also has the empathy.”

She added: “It’s going to be a very exciting future if we can get Team Elvis up at the election.”

Former lord mayor Sally Capp has thrown her support behind Mr Martin.

Mr Martin said Ms Capp’s contributions and leadership style inspired him to stand for office.

“There might be some who disagree with some of her policies, but there won’t be anyone who will disagree when I say (Ms Capp) brought positive leadership to the council,” he said.

“When Melbourne needed it the most, she brought unity in council. When Melbourne was crying for leadership, she ensured Melbourne council (was) a safe place for all.”

He said his ticket will “champion the voices of all Melburnians” and campaign on a platform of supporting small businesses, tackling homelessness, enhancing community safety and fostering innovative entrepreneurship.

Mr Martin, who has been involved with the Melbourne City Mission Housing and the National Youth Commission, most recently represented Australia at the United Nations in New York.

Mariam Riza is the Liberals’ candidate for lord mayor.

While Mr Martin’s team will run for councillor positions, at least 10 teams are now expected to stand for the positions of lord mayor and deputy lord mayor.

The Liberal Party officially joined the race on Tuesday when Mariam Riza and Luke Martin were announced as its endorsed candidates.

The Victorian Socialists could also run a ticket, while a community-based team is expected to be revealed within days.

Nominations open on September 9 and close eight days later.