Bill Etheridge is, with Diane James, one of two MEPs standing for election in the party's leadership contest.
Farage, also an MEP, decided to step down after nine years as leader following the EU referendum vote in the UK on 23 June.
Etheridge is standing on a joint ticket with Mike Hooken, himself an MEP, as deputy leader.
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The 46-year-old Etheridge was elected to both the European Parliament and Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council in 2014.
Etheridge has reportedly said the party needs a "unifying figure as leader" and has made ending "cronyism and infighting" a key pledge of his campaign.
Many, including European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, have questioned the necessity of Ukip now that Britain has decided to exit the EU.
But Etheridge told this website, "It was the Ukip people's army that led the march for Brexit. We believe passionately in freedom, democracy and independence therefore, we will always be a relevant, and indeed a powerful force and voice in British politics.
"I have set out a wide range of polices that I believe truly put the people first."
He added, "Ukip is not a single issue party and on Brexit the work really begins."
Etheridge said, "We fought for, and got, an EU referendum and I believe as leader I would be in an excellent position to exert constant pressure on the government to invoke article 50 and lead us out of the EU.
"Not only am I looking to invoke article 50, I have a full raft of policies to take Ukip forward in the post Brexit era. This includes a more libertarian agenda that will focus on the freedom of the markets, flatter, less complex taxation and building the UK into a powerhouse of manufacturing, science and technology."
If elected, he spelled out what qualities he might bring to the leadership, saying, "As leader I would go forward positively and drive ahead with my vision for a reformed and united Ukip.
"I would ensure the party stays loyal to its key beliefs and I would ensure that we would not stray into becoming a middle ground party. If you stand in the middle of the road you get run over."
On his vision for the party, he said, "Ukip must stay clear of the centre - our strength is our difference. People are looking to us for a brighter future.
"We should be a party that continues to battle for a smaller, less intrusive state. The state should not control our lives and my vision for Uki is that it should be a major force for the people."
Etheridge pointed out that while his current parliamentary term runs out in 2019, he is presently totally focused on the leadership contest.
He said, "My total focus is on the leadership and indeed getting that leadership. It would be a great honour to lead Ukip and have the opportunity to work as a team that would turn Britain purple."
On Ukip's future role in the European Parliament, he said, "I intend to remain in the Parliament for as long as UK taxpayers are contributing toward the EU. Once the contributions finish I will happily leave."