The former Surf Coast councillor will take on Liberal MP Sarah Henderson in the marginal constituency at the federal election, likely to be held mid-next year.

Mrs Coker defeated former Corangamite MP Darren Cheeseman and Colac-Otway Shire development officer Tony White for the hotly-contested Labor nomination.

The Aireys Inlet resident ran for the Coalition-held Polwarth constituency at last year’s state election and achieved a three per cent swing in Labor’s favour.

Corangamite has been a marginal electorate for the past decade and was held by the Liberal Party until the 2007 federal election before Mr Cheeseman held the seat for two terms.