Swan councillor Rod Henderson takes on Rita Saffioti for seat of West Swan

He has been endorsed as the Liberal party’s candidate for West Swan ahead of next year’s state election.

It is the second time he has run for the seat, and the second time he will battle it out with incumbent Rita Saffioti.

Ms Saffioti has held West Swan since its establishment in 2008, when she defeated Mr Henderson by more than 6 per cent.

But Mr Henderson said he hoped he could get over the line this time when voters went to the polls next March.

“In 2008 when the seat was established, it was a very safe Labor seat,” he said.

“It was impossible to win.

“In 2013, (former candidate) Natasha Cheung came really close and made up a lot of the margin.

“And I think this election we should be even closer.”

Boundary changes to West Swan mean it has swung from a Labor seat to a marginal Liberal seat by 0.9 per cent, according to figures from the last election.

The changes include losing Ellenbrook to Swan Hills, while gaining Herne Hill and parts of the upper side of the Swan Valley.

West Swan will also extend north to incorporate Banksia Grove. “It’s changed the demographic of the seat,” Mr Henderson said.

“It’s now notionally a Liberal seat more than Labor.”

The Swan Valley and Gidgegannup ward councillor has been at the City of Swan since October last year, after knocking off former Mayor Charlie Zannino.

The father of two has lived in the suburb of West Swan for 26 years.