Deputy Nats leader to stay in upper house

Federal deputy Nationals leader Bridget McKenzie has ruled out switching to the lower house, ending speculation the senator would run for the Victorian seat of Indi.

The Nationals will run a candidate in the north-east Victorian seat but, despite moving her electorate office in the heart of Indi, Senator McKenzie says she wants to see out her term in the Senate until 2022.

"It's a role I cherish and adore and want to continue in," the senator told the Bendigo Advertiser on Monday.

It's vital the successful Nationals candidate has "honesty and integrity", Senator McKenzie says.

"I know the capacity is there in Indi," she said.

"I'm always encouraging strong political leaders to continue that process and take the next step.

"Local is always best - you buy local, you support local and you should be local."

Independent Cathy McGowan first won Indi in 2013, defeating long-serving Liberal MP Sophie Mirabella with a strong grassroots campaign.

Indi is set to be a four-cornered contest with Ms McGowan's anointed successor Helen Haines, the Liberals' Steve Martin and Labor candidate Eric Kerr, along with the National representative.