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, who is one of four Manitoba Liberal MLA’s currently in the Legislature, was elected to her current position in the 2016 election 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 provides access to funding, research staff and a guaranteed presence during question period and on committees.

The next federal election is slated for the fall.