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Community councillor Steve Aicheler will contest the upcoming Caerphilly Senedd by-election for the Liberal Democrats.

Cllr Aicheler, who sits on Bedwas, Trethomas and Machen Community Council, is the sixth confirmed candidate.

The by-election, which will be held on Thursday October 23, comes following the passing of incumbent Senedd Member Hefin David, aged just 47.

Following his nomination, Cllr Aicheler – a Machen resident who serves as a governor at Machen Primary School – said: “The Liberal Democrats know that Caerphilly deserves better than the managed decline approach of Labour and the Conservatives. We’re only going to make things better for Caerphilly by focusing on what really matters.

“Prioritising social care to free up the health service, prioritising childcare and education so our young people can thrive.

“Our local services are being ripped apart, and Caerphilly needs a real champion, not ‘magic wand’ politics.

“A vote for the Liberal Democrats will send a message that Caerphilly rejects chaos and hate and deserves a brighter future.”

Away from his role as a community councillor and school governor, Cllr Aicheler works as an operations manager for a national not-for-profit organisation supporting entrepreneurship education. He has previously set up and run his own businesses, including Castle Bikes in Caerphilly.

If elected to the Senedd, Cllr Aicheler would be his party’s second MS, alongside party leader Jane Dodds.

Confirmed by-election candidates so far

• Welsh Liberal Democrats – Steve Aicheler
• Gwlad – Anthony Cook
• Welsh Conservatives – Gareth Potter
• Reform UK – Llŷr Powell
• Richard Tunnicliffe – Labour
• Lindsay Whittle – Plaid Cymru