FORMER Maranoa mayor Rob Loughnan is setting his sights on a new challenge.

The Roma grazier has announced he will run for the Katter's Australian Party in the seat of Warrego in the upcoming Queensland State Election.

Mr Loughnan formerly served as a councillor and a mayor in the Maranoa region and is hoping his knowledge of the electorate makes him the perfect candidate for disgruntled voters. Among a contingent of close supporters on Wednesday, Mr Loughnan expressed his desire to represent the region to the best of his ability.

"I'd like to see a member who is totally devoted to the people living in the electorate of Warrego, rather than aspiring to reach cabinet and to climb up the political ladder,” Mr Loughnan said.

"I really want to be that member who can travel around the district and listen to the concerns expressed by the electorate.”

Mr Loughnan is focussing on a number of key issues, including rising electricity prices, gun restrictions, water security and vegetation clearing restrictions. He also expressed a strong desire to be visible in the region.

"Representation is really important, people want to be heard when they go to their local member, which I don't believe has been happening recently.”

Mr Loughnan identified what he believes to be continued neglect of rural areas by the major parties.

"Neither of them could care less about rural and regional Queensland, and have continuously shown utter contempt for anywhere outside of Brisbane,” he said.

"I will be the representative who will put the electorate first ahead of the 'party line' and KAP membership allows me to do just that.”

Resigning his decade-long LNP membership due to a perceived lack of neglect for regional Queensland, Mr Loughnan said he felt extremely comfortable switching parties.

"The KAP are now the only party truly representing regional and rural Queenslanders,” he said.

In a statement, state KAP leader and member for Mt Isa, Robbie Katter, said he was very excited to have Mr Loughnan on board as the candidate for Warrego.

"Rob is locally born and bred in Mitchell, grew up on the family cattle property south of Injune and took up residence at the neighbouring family property, where he still lives and works today,” Mr Katter said.