Council & Politics
30 July, 2025
Armstrong eyes off Ripon
ARARAT Mayor Jo Armstrong is eyeing off a spot in the Victorian Parliament and is expected to run for the Nationals in the seat of Ripon at next year's election.
Several sources have spoken with the Advocate over recent months confirming Cr Armstrong is likely to run as the Nationals candidate.
Despite the disastrous election result in 2022 for the Liberal Party, the Nationals actually won two additional seats from independents and are now eyeing off Ripon in 2026.
It will be the first time the party has run in Ripon since 2014, when high profile former footballer Scott Turner ran against Liberal Louise Staley and Labor's Daniel McGlone.
At that election, the Nationals attracted 18% of the vote in Ripon to the Liberals 32% and Labor's 35% with Ms Staley winning on Mr Turner’s preferences.
National party sources say Cr Armstrong's high profile in the Ararat region will put her in a good position to win the seat.
It's understood Cr Armstrong will not recontest her position as mayor when her term ends in November.
Cr Armstrong – who is the serving state president of the Nationals – said talk of her running as a candidate was premature.
“Nationals Victoria is yet to finalised dates for preselection.
“I’ve certainly been encouraged by a great number of people and there is probably no surprise speculation is rife considering the feeling rural Victorians have at the moment towards the Allan Labor Government but I’ll give consideration (to stand) when the time comes,” she said.
Nationals Leader Danny. O’Brien issued a statement to the Ararat Advocate/Pyrenees Advocate conforming Ripon is a target seat, but refused to speculate on Cr Armstrong being a candidate.
"I won't disrespect our members by speculating on candidates. We will go through the usual process of selecting candidates ahead of the election and I'm confident we will have an excellent candidate to give choice to the people of Ripon.
"Ripon is certainly a target seat for us and we will be working hard to defeat Labor to end this terrible government,” Mr O’Brien said.
"Jo Armstrong is an excellent community champion and has done a fantastic job serving our party. I hope she will continue to serve our party and her region in many ways in future,” he said.
Labor's Martha Haylett won Ripon from the Liberal's Louise Staley in 2022 after boundary changes made the seat notionally Labor.
While the conservative parties tend to do well in smaller rural communities in Ripon, Labor won the polling booths in the larger centres of Ararat, Maryborough, Beaufort, Clunes, Creswick, Carisbrook, Inglewood, Ross Creek, Smythesdale and the growing western suburbs of Ballarat.
Member for Ripon Martha Haylett said she expected a robust contest for Ripon in 2026.
“It is the honour of my life to serve the people of Ripon.”
“I remain focused on delivering real outcomes for our community and am proud to have secured money for more train services, paramedics, hospital, school, and sports facility upgrades since being elected.”
“There is always more to do, and I will continue to work hard every single day for Ararat families,” Ms Haylett said.
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