Two high-profile mayors have agreed to stand for Nick Xenophon's SA Best party at South Australia's March election.
Port Adelaide-Enfield Mayor Gary Johanson will contest Port Adelaide, held by Labor Education Minister Susan Close, while Marion Mayor Kris Hanna will take on Liberal frontbencher Corey Wingard in Gibson.
"Both Gary and Kris are very popular and hardworking mayors who know their communities, what the grassroots issues are and are all about getting tangible results", Mr Xenophon said on Monday.
Mr Johanson is also a former member of the Liberal Party while Mr Hanna served more than 10 years in the SA parliament, mostly as a Labor MP but later as a member of the Greens and finally as an independent.
Mr Hanna said he felt inspired to run for parliament again.
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"Nick and I are a natural fit. We both have a long history of speaking up for people who have been let down by the system one way or another," he said.
"I'm the shy version of Nick Xenophon."
Mr Johanson said he had become disenchanted with the direction of the Liberal Party and had also resisted offers to run for Labor.
"We need a change in the Port because for too long we have been taken for granted," he said.
South Australians go to the polls on March 17 with SA Best planning to run in at least 20 seats in a bid to seize the balance of power in state parliament.
