SINN Féin assembly member Chris Hazzard looks set to fight the South Down constituency in next May's Westminster election.
The 29-year-old from Drumaness is expected to be confirmed to run against SDLP MP Margaret Ritchie, after former education minister Caitríona Ruane lost out in the two previous polls.
Ms Ritchie holds a majority of 8,412 in the overwhelmingly nationalist constituency.
In the previous two Westminster elections in 2005 and 2010, Ms Ruane was runner-up on both occasions.
Speaking to The Irish News last night, Mr Hazzard said that to be selected in his home constituency would be a "great honour". "As a young candidate I believe I'll bring an energy and vibrancy to the campaign," he said. "My experience in the assembly and my work with the education portfolio over the past two years I believe will stand me in good stead with the electorate."
The party's constituency group will meet in Downpatrick on Sunday night at a meeting chaired by Ms Ruane, where Mr Hazzard's candidacy is expected to go unchallenged.