Former Liberal MP Sarah Henderson claims Victorian Senate vacancy

Former Liberal MP Sarah Henderson has been preselected to fill a Victorian Senate vacancy, beating out main rival Greg Mirabella for the position.

Former Liberal MP Sarah Henderson will return to parliament. Source: AAP

Former Liberal MP Sarah Henderson will return to parliament after winning preselection to fill a Victorian Senate vacancy.

Ms Henderson defeated Greg Mirabella, the husband of former Liberal MP Sophie Mirabella, in the contest at Melbourne's Caulfield Racecourse on Sunday.

Former Liberal MP Sarah Henderson will return to parliament, this time as a Senator. Source: AAP

Prime Minister Scott Morrison, federal MPs and other Liberal heavyweights including former party president Michael Kroger threw their support behind Ms Henderson, who narrowly lost her seat of Corangamite at the federal election in May.

She will replace retired senator Mitch Fifield, who resigned from parliament after the election to become Australia's ambassador to the United Nations in New York.

The neck-and-neck race between Ms Henderson and Mr Mirabella was at times marred by factional feuding.