HOW IT HAPPENED: Langdon endorsed as Lyons' replacement
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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 that he will step down as the Bendigo Health chair following the announcement.
He said he would work for the people of the region to deliver the best outcomes for all.
"I will be running a strong, positive campaign," he said.
"The Napthine government are listening to the people of Bendigo, improving trains, healthcare and education. Our current Labor members ... have been totally negative about any new developments in our electorate.
"I will not be drawn into that 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 St Liborius principal, the former Bendigo TAFE general manager and is the current chief executive of Bendigo Access Employment.
He represented the Liberal Party for Bendigo East in 2010.
At the time he secured 35.1 per cent of the votes, with sitting Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan getting over the line with 43.9 per cent.
Dr Langdon was announced as the new candidate about 8pm on Thursday, after the the Liberal State Administrative Committee met to discuss a replacement.
Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards said the Liberal Party had failed Bendigo.
"The party has chosen a failed Liberal candidate from 2010 and endorsed him for 2014."
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.
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 yesterday confirmed the party had no plans to run in Bendigo West or Bendigo East.
