Georgina Downer, the daughter of one-time Liberal leader and foreign minister Alexander Downer, has confirmed via a tweet that she will seek preselection for the Adelaide Hills federal seat of Mayo.

“As someone who grew up and spent the first two decades of her life in Mayo, was married in Mayo, and whose family have lived in the Adelaide Hills for over a century, I am coming home,” she wrote.

Ms Downer had been based in Melbourne working as a lawyer after a career as a diplomat.

“Like so many young South Australians, I went interstate and overseas to seek out job opportunities. Now I am coming home to use those experiences and give back to my community.”

For most of its existence, the seat of Mayo was held by her father.

Her grandfather, Sir Alick Downer, was a former immigration minister who occupied the now-abolished regional seat of Angas, which extended into the territory which is now Mayo.

And her great-grandfather, Sir John Downer, was the 13th premier of South Australia.

I have decided to nominate for Liberal Party preselection for the seat of Mayo. As someone who grew up and spent the first two decades of her life in Mayo, was married in Mayo, and whose family have lived in the Adelaide Hills for over a century, I am coming home. 1/3

— Georgina Downer (@GeorginaDowner) May 11, 2018

Ms Downer’s main competition is expected to come from Centre Alliance MP Rebekha Sharkie, one of the four federal MPs who announced their resignation after this week’s High Court ruling on Labor senator Katy Gallagher.

Ms Sharkie resigned from Parliament on Thursday.

It is not yet known if Labor will run a candidate in the by-election, with a date for it yet to be set.

In December last year it was revealed Alexander Downer, then Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, tipped off the United States government about Russia meddling in the 2016 election.

While Mr Downer’s role has remained secret, it’s understood young Trump campaign aide George Papadopoulos told the Australian diplomat that Russia had a dirt file on Hillary Clinton during a meeting at a London wine bar.

-ABC