The story behind the two independents with similar platforms running for Hughes

Craig Kelly, who quit the Liberal Party and later joined the United Australia Party, will have at least four opponents.

Liberal Party preselection is being contested by Holsworthy MP Melanie Gibbons, Wade McInerney, who formerly worked in the office of Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, and Jenny Ware, director of Legal Services at Georges River Council.

The Labor Party has endorsed Aquinas Catholic College teacher Peter Tsambalas.

First out of the blocks were independents Georgia Steele and Linda Seymour, both professionals from Sutherland Shire and mothers of two, whose platforms include climate change action, greater integrity in politics and better representation.

Ms Steele initially put her name forward to be the candidate for We Are Hughes, which Ms Seymour formed in 2020, and also intended running as an independent for Sutherland Shire Council.

In late October 2021, she pulled out of both the We Are Hughes selection process and council election and announced she would stand as an independent in her own right for Hughes.

An insider told the Leader We Are Hughes members were "gobsmacked". Ms Steele countered that the selection process was taking too long and she was concerned the election might be held before Christmas.

Ms Steele has since won the backing of the group Hughes Deserves Better, which was established before the 2019 election.

The two groups have the same goal to oust Mr Kelly, but different approaches.

Both candidates said there was "no falling out" and it was "a positive" for voters to have more choice.

Ms Seymour said, "I was quite surprised by Georgia's announcement and we were all confused because she had thrown her hat in the ring to represent We Are Hughes and was also simultaneously running for council".

"We don't own the political landscape in Hughes," she said. "We think it is great Hughes has a choice. We have different styles, different life experiences.

"People are concerned about splitting the vote. Neither of us is directing preferences, but people can still do that of their own accord."

Ms Seymour said We Are Hughes spoke to "people of all political persuasions" about being their candidate before nominating herself and withdrawing from the selection committee.

Ms Steele said she had volunteered for both Hughes Deserves Better and We Are Hughes.

"When I threw my hat into the ring with We Are Hughes, they intended to endorse a candidate in May 2021," she said.

"Their processes weren't forthcoming and it was taking too long and I was concerned a federal election could be held by the end of the year.

"I had been working on my campaign and decided someone needed to get out there, so I decided to have a run myself."

Ms Steele said the council election was originally scheduled for September 2020 and was twice postponed. "It was all very messy, so I set my sights on Hughes".

"The electoral landscape in Hughes is wide open for the first time in decades," she said.

Ms Steele said there was "no real relationship to speak of" between the two camps.

"I am running a campaign, they are running a campaign and we are both busy on the campaign trail," she said.