Television personality Eleni Evangel may be the Liberal candidate for the seat of Perth at the 2013 state elections. The beloved daughter of the Greek Community of Western Australia has confirmed to Neos Kosmos she has been approached to nominate for the safe Labor Seat against the sitting Labor MP John Hyde.
“I am flattered by the offer, but I am yet to decide whether I shall accept or reject it” she said.
“Yes, I am interested to serve my community as a member of the successful Colin Barnett government, but there are issues I have to consider, before I put my hand up” she added. Ms Evangel was elected to Perth City Council in 2005 and enjoys a reputation as an “uncompromising doer”.
Her ethos together with her high profile as a television producer the past 15 years, are making her an ideal candidate for a seat that requires a 7.7 per cent turnaround in order to fall to the Liberals. “If I decide to nominate I will be the underdog needing every vote to win the key seat. It will be hard work from beginning to end because of the big margin in favor of the incumbent” she told Neos Kosmos.
Ms Evangel has a second choice, the safe Liberal seat of Churchlands, a seat which will become vacant at the end of the life of the current parliament when sitting Member Elizabeth Constable retires. Given the nature of the seat Ms Evangel anticipates a tough battle for the election of the Ms Constable’s successor. “Safe seats always attract great numbers of candidates and Churchlands will no be different” she believes.
One thing is certain, Ms Evangel’s husband and three children have encouraged her to make the transition from local government to politics. As have her many friends within the Greek Community of Perth, where she has grown up and spend her adult life.
