Former Liberal staffer Airlie Keen has announced she will run against Adrian Pederick as an Independent candidate in the seat of Hammond in next year's state election.

Mr Pederick has held the safe Liberal seat since 2006 but did record a primary vote swing of more than five per cent against him in the 2018, due to a strong result by an SA Best candidate.

Hammond’s boundaries will shift at the next election to include Strathalbyn.  It will lose the areas of Clayton Bay and Milang, which will become part of the Finniss electorate.

Ms Keen currently works for Dan Cregan, the Member for Kavel who recently announced he was quitting the Liberal Party and would contest the next election as an Independent.

Mr Pederick described Mr Cregan’s defection and then election to the position of Speaker as, “the biggest dog act I’ve ever seen”.

Callington resident Ms Keen is also a Murray Bridge Councillor and worked for former Premier (and current State Liberal Party President) John Olsen when he held the seat of Kavel.

The state election is due to be held on Saturday 19 March 2022.