Yandoit resident Martha Haylett, who was endorsed by Labor's national executive this week, will challenge Liberal incumbent Louise Stanley in what is anticipated to be one of the more fiercely contested seats in the election.

Though Ms Stanley held the seat by a mere 15 votes in the 2018 election, a redistribution has positioned Labor as the clear favourite come the next election, with a predictive two-party preferred vote of around 52.8 per cent.

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The vast electorate, which includes Ararat, Stawell, Maryborough and Donald, encompasses a number of suburbs on Ballarat's fringe, including Lucas, Miners Rest, Cardigan and Mitchell Park.

Ms Haylett grew up in central Victoria and has a background in public policy advocacy in the areas of homelessness and public housing.