There is ongoing speculation in the capital city media and local Liberal Party circles the next Liberal Member for MacKillop could be former Federal politician Nicolle Flint.

The next state poll will be held in 2026 but a new Liberal Party candidate is needed after incumbent Nick McBride quit the party two months ago to become an Independent.

The speculation has intensified since Ms Flint was recently elected to chair the Liberal Party Rural and Regional Council with a seat on the State Executive.

Her nomination came from the branch in her home town of Kingston.

One Adelaide political commentator has suggested the 45-year-old could eventually lead the Liberal Party at a state level.

Ms Flint retired from Federal politics in 2022 after serving two terms as the Liberal MHR for the marginal Adelaide metropolitan seat of Boothby.

She remains active in public and political life as a politics commentator on television and in newspaper columns and as a board member of the Sturt Football Club.