Failed Labor candidate Margaret Strelow has stood aside as Rockhampton mayor and will run as an independent at the Queensland election in a further blow to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
Ms Strelow said her decision had nothing to do with the recent factional brawl where she lost pre-selection for the seat of Rockhampton to Barry O'Rourke, despite being the premier's pick.
Ms Palaszczuk endorsed the two-time mayor, also a member of her Right faction, last month after Ms Strelow challenged the Old Guard's traditional hold on the seat, left vacant by ailing Agriculture Minister Bill Byrne.
Denying a case of sour grapes, Ms Strelow said it was her determination to see pressing local issues addressed properly that made her run.
"I've watched the last week as various candidates on the ground have put forward issues that I'm not sure they were overly relevant," she told reporters in Rockhampton on Monday.
"We have so many other issues and we need to be able to have those spoken about on the floor of parliament."
Ms Strelow said although she joined Labor because it was in line with her ideology, running as an independent was something she had to do for her conscience.
"I appreciate this is going to mean I'm expelled from the Labor party so it's a very weighty issue for me but my priority has always been my community and I am committed to putting Rockhampton first," she said.
Ms Strelow said she had not done any polling but was entering the race to win it.
Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls said her decision to run against Labor, a week after disendorsed Pumicestone MP Rick Williams also chose to fight as an independent, showed she was just another "disgruntled" former member thumbing her nose at the party.
Ms Palaszczuk moved to distance herself from her No.1 pick on Monday, releasing a statement in support of a "passionate" Mr O'Rourke.
"I understand Margaret Strelow was disappointed in the result," she said.
"Labor representatives have always worked hard for the great city of Rockhampton and I know Barry will continue in that tradition."
Ms Strelow stood aside from her position as mayor just prior to Monday's announcement.
The council will appoint an acting mayor on Tuesday until the results of the November 25 election are known.
