Freshly-elected Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale president Rob Coales has shot down widespread rumours that he plans to run against Hugh Jones at next year’s state government elections.
“I will not be running for the seat of Darling Range in 2025,” he said.
He has clarified that he will not be running for any seat during next year’s election campaign, with a brand-new district seat of Oakford up for grabs.
“My focus right now is as president of the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale,” he said.
But he hasn’t ruled out running for state politics at a future date.
“Who knows when my desire to serve this community will leave me,” he said.
Mr Coales ran on the Liberal ticket for the district of Thornlie in 2017 and lost to Labor candidate Chris Tallentire.
He put his hat in the ring again to run as candidate for the 2018 Darling Range by-election, but was overlooked by the Liberals in favour of Alyssa Hayden who took the seat from then disgraced ALP sitting Member Barry Urban.
Mr Urban was sentenced to three years in prison in 2021 after it was revealed he told a series of lies about his qualifications and his military service
