Months after the federal Liberal Party chose a candidate to run in Etobicoke-Lakeshore riding in the next election, it will now have to scramble to find a new one.

Susan Watt, a party-nominated lawyer, has resigned the nomination, CBC News has learned.

In November, Watt was selected to run for the seat in the upcoming federal election. But Watt quietly quit her candidacy about a month ago.

Since then the Liberals have unsuccessfully tried to lure a so-called star candidate to the riding.

The Liberals may now turn to former Toronto city councillor James Maloney to run in Watt's place.

Maloney is currently the president of the local riding association.

Earlier this year, Maloney and other Liberal supporters were accused of using a city-funded community centre in the area to help further their political goals.

Conservative MP Bernard Trottier is widely considered the front-runner in the riding, having won the 2011 vote by about 3,000 votes.