City of Mandurah councillor and youth mental health campaigner Dave Schumacher is preparing to take on the major parties in next year’s state election by running as an independent candidate for the seat of Dawesville.
Mr Schumacher announced his bid on social media, with a post calling for supporters to assist with his campaign.
Last week he said he was considering standing as an independent after unsuccessfully seeking preselection for the Liberal party in the seat, which was instead won by Zak Kirkup, a former environment adviser to Premier Colin Barnett.
He took a swing at Mr Kirkup and Labor Dawesville candidate Adam Woodage, whom he said had not served the Dawesville community in any role.
“I am a Mandurah local, I have been an elected City Councillor since 2009 (over 7 years service),” he wrote in a Facebook post.
“I have and continue to sit on many community boards and committees, and I work tirelessly for our community as a whole.”
Mr Schumacher ran as an independent in the 2013 election, polling 5.9 per cent of the primary vote, out-polling both the Greens and the WA Nationals.
Earlier in the year, Mr Schumacher was instrumental in raising funds for a youth suicide prevention program run by the Peel Youth Medical Service.
Mr Schumacher was contacted for comment.
Nathan Hondros
Senior Journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, and Fairfax Media.
Senior Journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, and Fairfax Media.
