Mark McGowan is reportedly getting ready to help Labor campaign ahead of the next state election, according to Seven West Media.
The former “state daddy” – a nickname he earnt during the COVID-19 pandemic – is expected to attend WA Labor’s campaign launch on Sunday in central Perth. Hundreds of supporters are expected at the event, which is believed to coincide with the Liberal Party’s event.
The appearance would be his first since May 2023 when he surprised Western Australia by resigning, making way for then health minister Roger Cook to take the top job.
It’s believed Mr McGowan will also visit a number of polling booths on election day, but party insiders believe the party is strong enough to win without WA’s “daddy”.
“Cook needs to win this in his own right,” one Labor source told Seven West Media.
Polling suggests Mr McGowan is still the most popular political figure in the state, with leaked figures – from the Liberals – showing the former Rockingham MP still had a net approval of 40 points.
