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Ben Lucas withdraws from contesting Narracan election

Drouin resident Ben Lucas has withdrawn from contesting the seat of Narracan at next month's state election.
Mr Lucas, a former Baw Baw Shire councillor, earlier this year announced he was planning to stand in the election as an independent.
However, he told The Gazette his decision not to nominate followed announcement by both major parties - the ALP and the Liberals-Nationals coalition - that they were committed to building a new West Gippsland Hospital.
It was the major local issue in Narracan and Mr Lucas said the fact that there was now bipartisan support for the project removed the need for him to push it during the campaign.
He had also previously announced that he would not be directing preferences to other candidates to emphasise his independence.
Mr Lucas said he had approaches from five parties about representing them at the election but refused all.
His withdrawal leaves four candidates that are to date endorsed for Narracan.
They are Leonie Blackwell (Freedom Party), Wayne Farnham (Liberals), Shaun Gilchrist (The Nationals) and Alyssa Weaver (The Greens).
The governing ALP has not yet named a candidate.
A new member for Narracan is guaranteed after the election following the retirement of Gary Blackwood who has held the seat for the past 16 years.

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