Ontario Liberal MPP Marie-France Lalonde is considering a run for the federal Liberal nomination in the riding left open by MP Andrew Leslie. Image source: Facebook.

TORONTO—An Ontario Liberal MPP is “seriously considering” running for the federal Liberals in the upcoming election.

Marie-France Lalonde, who was just one of seven surviving Liberal MPPs after the 2018 provincial election, says she’s considering running for the seat left open by Andrew Leslie.

Leslie, a first term MP and a star recruit in the 2015 election, announced last week he won’t run again. His Orléans riding overlaps with Lalonde’s provincial riding.

Her office told iPolitics she’s been approached by people in the community to make the jump to federal politics, however she hasn’t made a final decision.

“It’s something that she really is looking at, considering the departure of Mr. Leslie,” Anick Tremblay said.

Lalonde has previously said she is considering a provincial party leadership run. Tremblay said Lalonde will make a decision by early next week.

The provincial Liberals are expected to set a date and rules for their leadership race at a meeting in June. Former cabinet ministers Steven Del Duca and Michael Coteau have already said they will run for the leadership.

If Lalonde leaves provincial politics, that would leave her party even further away from its goal of reaching official party status. The seven Liberal MPPs currently sit as independents in the legislature because a party needs 12 MPPs to hold official party status.

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