SWAN Hill Mayor Jade Benham will step down from the council at its July meeting, due to being The Nationals' preselected candidate for the seat of Mildura in the upcoming state election.

Robinvale-based Cr Benham said she was not required to stand down until November 2, but didn't want to be a "distraction" from the council's work.

"I want to maintain the integrity of council," she said. "We've ...