The man who unsuccessfully ran against Keira MP Ryan Park in the state election has now put his hand up to represent Wollongong residents in federal Parliament.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Wollongong Comic Cafe owner Chris Atlee has nominated himself as a Liberal candidate for the seat of Cunningham.
He has not been officially endorsed by the Liberal Party yet.
"There is still a process that has to happen before a candidate is endorsed," he told the Mercury.
"I hope I am successful. I can't imagine why I wouldn't be endorsed."
Mr Atlee said he expected to know the fate of his next political move this week.
Only a month ago, the Coniston resident secured 30.3 per cent or 14,634 votes in the state election.
There was a 2.4 per cent swing against the Liberal candidate on March 23.
Parliamentary secretary for Illawarra Gareth Ward announced Mr Atlee would be Liberal candidate for Keira only a month out from the election.
"It is time for the region to have serious members in the seats who won't only just fight for things but they will get them done," Mr Ward said at the time.
"Chris Atlee is an example of someone who lives his values and gets things done every day in business."
Mr Atlee had only been a member of the Liberal Party for one day before announcing his candidacy where he declared himself a "Liberal for life".
Mr Atlee unsuccessful ran as a Christian Democratic Party candidate for the state seat of Heathcote in 2011 and then in the federal Cunningham seat for the Palmer United Party in 2013.
At the time, he said he would not be swapping parties again and was only focused on becoming the state member for Keira rather than securing a federal or council seat.
Mr Atlee is married, has three children and is the former Corrimal Chamber of Commerce president.
Incumbent Labor MP Sharon Bird repeatedly said she wants a Liberal candidate to contest the Cunningham seat so residents could raise their concerns and hear Liberal Party policies.