Liberals' Indi preselection down to three

The Liberals are set to run a male candidate in the federal seat of Indi for the first time in 20 years, potentially opening the way for the Nationals' Bridget McKenzie to throw her hat into the ring.

Saturday's preselection is understood to be a three-way race between project manager Steve Martin, businessman Stephen Brooks and anaesthesist Andrew Walpole.

Sophie Mirabella held the north-east Victorian seat for 12 years for the Liberals before Independent Cathy McGowan won in 2013.

Ms McGowan, 65, is yet to confirm if she will contest the 2019 election and a community group, Voices 4 Indi, is meeting in January to discuss a "succession process".

Senator McKenzie, who is the Nationals' deputy leader, is understood to still be considering a tilt at running for the lower house.

It was reported in October that she would move her electoral office 300km from Bendigo to Wodonga next year, which would set up a potential run for the seat of Indi.