Blackwood Town councillor Andrew Farina-Childs has been chosen by Plaid Cymru to fight the July 8 by-election for a seat on Caerphilly County Borough Council.
Married with two daughters, Andrew, 43, lives at Twynyffald Road and has been a town councillor since 2008. He was mayor of Blackwood in 2008-09.
Councillor Farina-Childs, who is leader of the Plaid Town Council Group, chairs the planning committee, is vice-chair of the events committee and serves on the finance and policy committee and the town centre management committee.
He works for local firm Hawker Siddley Switchgear as a team leader, serves as a parent governor at Blackwood Comprehensive School and is also co-founder of the Twynyffald and Ty Isha Residents’ Association.
He has been involved in many local campaigns, including setting up the s20s National Speed Campaign to reduce speed limits around all schools in Wales.
Cllr Farina-Childs is also a charity worker for the Sparkle Appeal for which he raised almost £2,500 during his mayoral year of office. He recently became the honorary president of the Blackwood Town Girls and Boys Football Club (The Chartists) which he helped set up.
He said: “If elected to represent Blackwood, I will work tirelessly for all residents regardless of their political preference. I will always be accessible and accountable and I’m fully committed and dedicated to working for the community.
“I will be an effective voice for all the people living in the community. I believe in equality for all and will continue to campaign for improved facilities for able-bodied and disable people alike.”
The by-election was caused by the resignation of Kevin Etheridge.