The Liberal Party has confirmed it will run a candidate in the by-election triggered by the resignation of former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews.
The former Labor leader had been MP for Mulgrave in Melbourne's southeast since 2002, when the seat was re-created after being abolished in 1967.
Mr Andrews quit politics last month after close to nine years as Victorian premier, with the by-election to replace his local seat locked in for November 18.
Opposition Leader John Pesutto on Friday confirmed the Liberals would run a candidate.
"People deserve a choice," he told ABC Radio Melbourne.
"We were built to contest elections ... I don't think there are any reasons why we wouldn't stand up and offer people a choice."
In 2022, Mr Andrews reclaimed Mulgrave on a 10.2 per cent two-party-preferred margin as Labor cruised to another landslide state election victory.
Mr Pesutto acknowledged it was a safe Labor seat but said his yet-to-be-named candidate would show that change was possible and necessary.
"If we don't stand the candidate, we can't make those arguments," he said.
Dandenong mayor Eden Foster, who grew up within Mulgrave's suburbs of Noble Park and Springvale, has been confirmed as Labor's pick.
Ms Foster's fellow councillor Rhonda Garad has been pre-selected as the Victorian Greens' candidate.
It will be the second Victorian state by-election this year after the Liberals retained the seat of Warrandyte in Melbourne's northeast following the retirement of veteran MP Ryan Smith.
Labor did not contest the Warrandyte by-election.
