Plaid Cymru has announced that Blackwood town councillor Zoe Hammond will contest the Islwyn seat at the upcoming General Election.
Cllr Hammond, who has campaigned against the closure of Pontllanfraith Leisure Centre as part of the Save Our Leisure Centres group, will challenge the incumbent Labour MP, Chris Evans.
Cllr Hammond has previously served as Blackwood town mayor, being the youngest person to do so.
After her candidacy was confirmed by the party, Cllr Hammond said: “I am delighted at being given the support of my fellow members in my home constituency and I thank them for the faith they’ve placed in me.
“I got into politics because I want to make a practical difference to people’s lives and it is an honour for me to have the opportunity to do so in the area where I was brought up.
“I grew up in Pontllanfraith, and went to school at the local primary, and then Oakdale Comprehensive.”
Cllr Hammond added: “Islwyn is a part of me, it’s more than that it’s my home. I cannot think of a greater privilege than to represent the place where I’ve lived, worked and raised my children at Westminster.”