UPDATE 9.40PM: Recently announced Liberal candidate for Bendigo West Michael Langdon has vowed to work for the people of the region and advocate for development in the area.
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He replaces Jack Lyons, who was recently found with a series of offensive and racist online posts on his Facebook from 2009 to 2011.
Dr Langdon says he will run a strong, positive campaign.
"The Napthine government are listening to the people of Bendigo, improving trains, healthcare and education," he said.
"This is unlike Labor, who are known for running a negative campaign and have shown a total disregard for the people of Bendigo.
"Our current Labor members... have been totally negative about any new developments in our electorate.
"I will not be drawn into this negativity. I will be listening to people in Bendigo West, working hard and fighting for a stronger, better Bendigo. "
Mr Langdon has lived and worked in Bendigo for more than 30 years.
He is the former principal of St Liborius, the former general manager of Bendigo TAFE and is the current chief executive of Bendigo Access Employment.
He has confirmed he will step down as Bendigo Health chairman following the announcement.
UPDATE 9.30PM: Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards said the Liberal Party has failed Bendigo after Michael Langdon was tonight endorsed as a candidate for the seat.
"The party has chosen a failed Liberal candidate from 2010 and endorsed him for 2014," she said.
Mr Langdon is expected to release a statement later tonight.
EARLIER: BENDIGO Health chairman and former Bendigo East candidate Michael Langdon has been endorsed as the new Liberal candidate for Bendigo West.
The announcement follows Jack Lyons' resignation from candidacy after a series of offensive and sexist posts were found on his Facebook account.
Dr Langdon confirmed to the Bendigo Advertiser tonight that he will step down as the Bendigo Health chair following the announcement.
Dr Langdon represented the Liberal Party for Bendigo East in 2010.
At the time he secured 35.1 per cent of the votes, totaling 12,864.
Dr Langdon was announced as the new candidate about 8pm on Thursday, after the the Liberal State Administrative Committee met to discuss a replacement.
The views of party representatives from Bendigo were canvassed prior to the vote on Mr Langdon’s endorsement.
The administrative committee also agreed to re-open nominations for the vacant position in the Western Victoria Region. Nominations will open on Saturday and close midday August 22.
It comes after former Western Victoria Liberal candidate Aaron Lane resigned after a series of homophobic tweets were located on his account.
Nationals state director Jenny Hammett said the events in Bendigo West had not changed the party's position on the seat.
"We don't envisage being in the seat," she said.
"You never know what will happen though. The situation in Bendigo West is an issue for the Liberal Party."
The Nationals confirmed it had no plans to run in Bendigo West or Bendigo East earlier this month.
Steven Oliver achieved 21.7 per cent of the primary vote in Bendigo West in the 2010 election.
Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards and Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan have been contacted for comment.
More to come.