In the hotly contested Flinders electorate, Labor candidate Sarah Race defied expectations with a strong performance in the 2025 federal election, despite just falling short, Sarah was significantly outspent by rivals Zoe McKenzie and Ben Smith. While both opponents reportedly had access to million-dollar campaign budgets, Race’s grassroots strategy brought her close to matching Smith’s primary vote.

Listen to what Sarah Race had to say on RPP FM Radio

Race said she shifted to a “meet the people” approach, personally door-knocking 10,000 households across the Mornington Peninsula, which she believes gave her valuable insight into the electorate’s political landscape.