Controversial Adelaide Liberal councillor Henry Davis flags bid for SA Senate seat vacated by Simon Birmingham

The outspoken Liberal has made a bold declaration just a day after a drag dress-up stunt and a court date with two colleagues.

• Davis takes on ‘Slomax-Smith’
• Councillor sues political rivals

Adelaide City Councillor Henry Davis is nominating for the Senate seat being vacated by Simon Birmingham, who last week announced he was quitting federal politics.

Mr Davis acknowledged he would not be favourite to win the position. but said he wanted to offer Liberal Party delegates an option from the “sensible’’ centre.

“I’m really worried that the Liberal Party is not going in the right direction,’’ Mr Davis said. “The problem is the Liberal Party has been bleeding votes.’’

Conservative state Liberal president Leah Blyth is the frontrunner to fill the vacancy, having already been pre-selected at the number four position on the ticket at next year’s federal election and is backed by right wing powerbroker Alex Antic.

Cr Henry Davis (left) in his usual attire and (right) dressed as he was in the satirical video.

A clip from Adelaide councillor Henry Davis satirical video about Adelaide Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith and controversial policies around parking and lowered speed limits in the CBD. Picture: Supplied

Another candidate is believed to be lawyer and former Liberal staffer Sam Hooper.

Mr Davis ran for pre-selection in the seat of Mayo earlier this year, beaten by another Antic-backed candidate Zane Basic.

Senator Birmingham was elected at the 2022 federal election for six years, meaning the winner will serve out the remainder of the term.

Mr Davis made headlines this week after launching a satirical attack on Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith while dressed in a blonde wig and a floral women’s blouse. He was also in the Adelaide Magistrates Court after launching a defamation action against two of his fellow councillors.

Originally published as Controversial Adelaide Liberal councillor Henry Davis flags bid for SA Senate seat vacated by Simon Birmingham