Pauline Hanson's chief of staff James Ashby says reports he's planning to contest a seat for One Nation at the next Queensland election are purely speculative.

Former One Nation president Ian Nelson has told The Australian that Mr Ashby's ambition to run at the state poll is an "open secret in the party".

One Nation chief of staff James Ashby. Credit:Andrew Meares

On Monday, AAP asked Mr Ashby if he would rule out running in the Sunshine Coast seat of Kawana, or any other seat in Queensland, to which he replied: "It's pure speculation."

Mr Nelson has been waging a bitter public campaign against Mr Ashby since quitting as party president.