Doug Ford seriously considering a run for a seat at Queen’s Park

The Ford circus could soon be moving to Queen's Park.

On Monday, Toronto City Councillor Doug Ford confirmed that he will not run for re-election in October's municipal election.

Instead, he's got his eye set on something bigger; the somewhat less-controversial brother of Mayor Rob Ford is leaning towards running for the provincial Progressive Conservatives as a candidate in Etobicoke North.

"The province is in a total mess," Ford told Newstalk 1010's Jerry Agar.

"I've proven what we can do as a city -- reducing the size and cost of government, making sure that we have a transparent and accountable government and focusing on customer service excellence. And that's not happening at the province under the Liberal regime...or under Premier Wynne."

Chatter about Ford following in his father's footsteps and becoming an MPP had subsided in recent months in light of the ongoing Rob Ford controversies. The elder Ford has often come to the defence of his little brother and sometimes has looked foolish doing so.

He's also had his own share of controversies. Last summer, the Globe and Mail published an article alleging that Doug sold hashish in the 1980's. Ford denies the allegations and no charges have been laid.

And last month, in a peculiar incident caught on video, Ford was seen handing out $20 bills. While some accused him of buying votes, he suggested it was akin to handing out gift certificates at Christmas.

[ Related: Toronto Coun. Doug Ford denies buying votes with $20 bills he gave to constituents ]

Despite the controversies, Ford believes that the PC's still want him as a candidate.

"You have to go through the nomination process and you have to be accepted by the party," he said.

"And I see no reason why the party wouldn't want to have me down there."

An intriguing part of the Agar interview was when Ford was talking about who might replace him on City Council. Agar asked Ford if his daughter Krista was considering a run.

Here's how Ford replied:

"I'm not saying any other Ford is not running, I'm just saying Krista Ford is not running."

Another Ford on council?

The full interview can be heard here.

[ Related: Olivia Chow denies being offered Lieutenant-Governor post, keeps Toronto mayoral speculation alive ]

If Ford does run and wins the PC nomination, he could be hitting the hustings sooner than later. Talk about a Spring election in Ontario is heating up.

PC leader Tim Hudak continues to talk-tough calling for an election while NDP leader Andrea Horwath seems to be ramping up her criticism of the Liberal government.

In a year-end interview with the Ottawa Citizen, however, Horwath remained coy about whether the NDP will continue to prop-up Kathleen Wynne's minority government.

"That’s certainly something that I’ll be taking my cues from the people of Ontario about," Horwath said.

"I’m going to be spending the next couple of weeks and months between now and when the house resumes in February getting some feedback from Ontarians."

According to the Toronto Star, if the New Democrats vote against the Liberal spring budget, Ontarians could be heading to the polls as early as May 29.

(Photo courtesy of the Canadian Press)

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