Victoria’s political battle is heating up, with One Nation appointing a new state leader ahead of the November election.

The party’s Victorian president Warren Pickering has been named as the leader and will also contest the lower house seat of Pakenham.

The appointment comes after former Northern Territory Chief Minister Adam Giles and former military officer Heston Russell rejected reports that they were considering taking over the Victorian leadership role.

Pickering, who previously served as the party’s Victorian president, says he aims to take One Nation into the election with renewed strength.

He says the November poll will be a crucial opportunity for the party to challenge the major political parties in Victoria.

One Nation is now preparing its candidates for the state election, with party leader Pauline Hanson also actively joining the campaign.