Niki Ashton may have some tough competition in the next election.

 

Judy Klassen, who currently serves as the MLA for the Keewatinook riding, says that she’s considering making the jump to the federal level to run for the seat that’s been held by Ashton for over a decade.

 

Klassen, one of four Liberal MLAs currently in the Legislature, was elected in 2016 when she defeated NDP incumbent Eric Robinson who served as Deputy Premier from 2009 until 2016.

 

If the northern MLA does step up to run for the Federal Liberals before the next provincial election, the Manitoba Liberal party would lose official party status which was only gained this past summer for the first time since 1995.

 

Official party status provides access to funding, research staff and a guaranteed presence during question period and on committees.

 

Manitoba Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont says that he knows about her possible departure, though he said he’s not worried as he expects the Pallister government to call an election in the next few months which will result in a “full complement of MLAs”.

 

The next federal election is slated for the fall.