INDI Liberal candidate Steve Martin has ruled himself out of the race to fill the vacant Senate spot in Victoria.
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Mr Martin, who finished a close second to Voices for Indi independent Helen Haines in the recent federal election in the lower house seat of Indi, confirmed he had considered putting his name forward for the Senate vacancy created by Mitch Fifield's decision to take up an overseas ambassador role.
But he opted out and hasn't shut the door on re-contesting Indi at the next election after polling more primary votes than Ms Haines, but losing on preferences due in part to the dismal showing of Coalition partner, the Nationals.
Sarah Henderson, who lost her seat of Corangamite to Labor at the election, remains the hot favourite to win the Senate spot.
The AEC is expected to officially declare Ms Haines the winner in Indi next week.