Liberals unveil candidate for John Gardner’s seat
A CFS volunteer and data analytics professional has been endorsed by the Liberal Party to run for the seat of Morialta in the 2026 state election.
Scott Kennedy has been pre-selected as the state Liberal Party’s candidate for the seat of Morialta in the 2026 state election, Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia has announced.
Kennedy has been a local CFS volunteer for 15 years and is currently a consultant at data analytics firm Exposé.
He previously worked as a strategy adviser for the Department of Premier and Cabinet during the Liberal Marshall Government years.
“Having worked closely with John Gardner MP on key local issues, I know what it takes to get results,” Kennedy said.
“I will fight to lower the cost of living, improve access to affordable housing, and fix our local roads.
“My focus is on making Morialta an even better place to live and raise a family.”
Morialta will be vacant when former education minister John Gardner leaves politics at the 2026 state election.
Gardner said at a press conference in December that he received a melanoma diagnosis in August that prompted “an evaluation of my priorities and my family’s priorities”.
Gardner has held the eastern suburbs seat of Morialta since 2010. The Liberal Party held Morialta on a narrow 1.4 per cent margin at the last state election.
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Kennedy was preselected by local Liberal Party members last night.
Opposition Leader Tarzia said Kennedy’s experience and community connection positioned him to advocate for Morialta.
“Scott is a true local hero, literally putting his life on the line for his community and I look forward to welcoming him to the team,” Tarzia said.
Liberal Party SA state president, Senator Leah Blyth, said Kennedy was “a fantastic representative for his community and I can’t think of a better person to continue to advocate for the people of Morialta”.
