The candidate acknowledged the perception that the Greens were a party of the inner-city was a challenge.
"The idea that Greens are just inner-city hippies is not true, and it's been really hard cutting through with that (perception)," Mr Gilmour said.
"I am from the country, I grew up halfway between Denmark and Albany.
"I grew up around agriculture and in a country environment.
"I have lived in the city, but I'm certainly not an inner-city Green."
Mr Gilmour said there was a desire in the electorate for a change in the way constituents were represented.
"I feel a lot of the other candidates are representing their core group, whereas I really do want to represent all of O'Connor," he said.
"That means not just the coast, but inland and outback."
The idea that Greens are just inner-city hippies is not true... I grew up around agriculture and in a country environment. I have lived in the city, but I'm certainly not an inner-city Green.
- Greens candidate for the seat of O'Connor Nelson Gilmour
Mr Gilmour hopes voters would unite around common concerns such as the influence of corporate money in politics and the impacts of climate change and ecological collapse.
"For too long, money and vested interests have played a big part in our politics at the expense of everyday Australians and the environment," he said.
"I'm not going to capitulate on my views to make other people happy.
"But at the same time it is about finding the common ground as well."
Polices Mr Gilmour is committed to, include a transition to 100 per cent renewable energy by 2030 and free education, including TAFE education.
The candidate said live export was not his priority, but acknowledged it was a concern for voters in O'Connor.
"I would like to end live export," he said.
"It's in Australia's interest to make a transition into a strong domestic meat processing industry.
"It would be a very fair and just transition, no one would be left behind."
The vast regional electorate was retained by Liberal MP Rick Wilson with more than 65 per cent of the two-party preferred vote at the last Federal election.
Along with Mr Gilmour, Labor's Shelley Payne, The National's John Hassell, United Australia's Anthony Fels and the Australian Christian's candidate Ian t'Hart are running to unseat the incumbent.
In 2016, Greens candidate Giz Watson won just over 10 per cent of the vote.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced the 2019 Federal election will be held on May 18.
