Less than 24 hours after being comprehensively beaten in Super Saturday's Mayo by-election, Liberal candidate Georgina Downer was already backing herself for another run at the seat at next year's federal election.

Key points: Georgina Downer vows to seek preselection for Mayo after losing the Super Saturday by-election

Georgina Downer vows to seek preselection for Mayo after losing the Super Saturday by-election Ms Downer says she wants to continue her family's legacy in the seat

Ms Downer says she wants to continue her family's legacy in the seat But a politics expert says the so-called 'Downer dynasty' could hinder, rather than help, her chances

While votes are still being counted, Centre Alliance MP Rebekha Sharkie has retained Mayo in the by-election with a clear swing in her favour.

But Ms Downer, the daughter of former foreign affairs minister Alexander Downer who held Mayo for 24 years, said she would again seek preselection for the Adelaide Hills seat as early as Monday.

"I put my hand up for [preselection] last night … and I am 100 per cent committed to standing in Mayo again next year," she said.

"I'm proud of my family's commitment and service to South Australia … I'm committed to putting up a fantastic campaign for the next election as the Liberal Party's candidate if I'm preselected."

While Ms Downer said no single person was "entitled to a seat" and said it would be up to the party to decide, she has prominent backers for another run in 2019 including Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

Georgina Downer delivers her concession speech. ( ABC News: Tom Fedorowytsch )

Ms Downer's family connection to the seat figured prominently during an acrimonious campaign, with both sides accusing the others' supporters of online trolling.

Mr Downer said supporters of Ms Sharkie had brought "such horrible hate to our district" and staunchly defended his family's legacy after Saturday's poll.

"Our family have been nation-builders, we've helped to make this nation great," he said.

"You can abuse us and you can criticise us and we'll take it … because nation-building is in our blood."

Family history 'a vulnerability'

Alexander, Nicky, Georgina and Hetty Downer on the night of the Mayo by-election. ( ABC News: Tom Fedorowytsch )

Ms Downer has continually talked up her Mayo connection as a factor in her favour, but University of Adelaide professor Carol Johnson warned her family's history was a vulnerability.

"They are hoping that a nationwide election will be fought on national issues, but some of these may actually disadvantage her," Professor Johnson said.

Loading

"She is a conservative right-wing candidate and some of her views may not go down well in Mayo which is small 'l' liberal."

The federal election would be fought on issues including equality, wage stagnation and standards of living, Professor Johnson said.

She said Ms Downer was vulnerable because of statements she made while working for the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA), including views on penalty rates, minimum wage and GST distribution to South Australia.

"I'm not convinced things would be better for her in a federal election," she said.

"People in some pockets of the community are struggling in that electorate."

Ms Downer, a lawyer and former diplomat, said she would be leaving her position as a research fellow at the IPA and would now take a short break to "reconnect with her much loved family".

"[But] I'm not going to waste a moment here," she said, in reference to the next federal election.

"I'm really determined that we do see the re-election of the Turnbull Coalition Government next year."

Next election to be a 'hard fight'

Ms Sharkie on Saturday thanked voters for re-electing her to the seat, after having to resign in the citizenship scandal that prompted the five-seat by-election.

She said work would begin immediately on the campaign for the 2019 election.

Rebekha Sharkie says she is looking forward to getting the keys to her office back. ( ABC News: Isabel Dayman )

"I'm really keen to go back in, despite the nasty campaign against me, and work positively with government but also hold government to account," Ms Sharkie said.

"I think every election is a hard fight and it should be a hard fight, it should be a contest of ideas."

The next election will bring new suburbs into Mayo, including taking some Adelaide Hills suburbs from Boothby and some from Kingston in the state's south.