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Lisa MacLeod, Progressive Conservative MPP for Nepean-Carleton, speaks to reporters at Queen's Park in Toronto on Tuesday, April 15, 2014.Darren Calabrese/The Canadian Press

The surprise exit of John Baird from federal politics has a well-known Ontario provincial politician eyeing a bid to replace him in the Commons.

Mr. Baird who served as foreign affairs minister and was among Prime Minister Stephen Harper's top lieutenants, resigned his cabinet post this week and said he'll relinquish his Ottawa-area seat shortly.

Lisa MacLeod, an MPP, folded her campaign for the leadership of the provincial Progressive Conservative Party this week, saying she did so in part because of what she's hearing from supporters about running federally. She has endorsed Christine Elliott for PC leader.

Ms. MacLeod, 40, said she will take "a week or two" to decide.

"My political landscape changed pretty dramatically … with John Baird announcing he was resigning. There has been enormous public pressure from my constituents for me to run."

She said she's attending a community meeting Saturday arranged by Ottawa City Councillor Jan Harder and others to discuss how to proceed.

Supporters and friends of Mr. Baird expect Ms. MacLeod will seek the nomination for Mr. Baird's riding but the MPP herself says she's undecided.

Ms. MacLeod notes her provincial seat is a "very rare" Progressive Conservative seat in a city that sends mostly Liberal MPPs to Queen's Park.

She said she loves provincial politics and doesn't want her departure to jeopardize the PC hold on her seat.

Ms. MacLeod, who worked for the federal Conservative Party before heading to Ontario's provincial legislature, said she's nevertheless hearing a call to make the jump.

"If I'd had three people who tell me not to do it, I've got about 300 that tell me to do it."

The MPP said a switch to Ottawa would give her a job that's closer to home and a chance to sit in government instead of in opposition as she's done for so long in Toronto.

Ontario politician Norm Sterling once told her the "toughest night you'll ever have is when you win your election and your party doesn't," Ms. MacLeod recalls.

"I've had four of those."

Ms. MacLeod is adamant however she will listen to what her constituents say.

She intends to meet with federal Conservatives in the days ahead as well.

Mr. Harper has six months from the date Mr. Baird vacates his seat to call a by-election. But there is no rule regarding when the by-election must be held and it's possible the Conservatives could fold it into the next general election, expected Oct. 19 under fixed election law.

It wouldn't be the first time Ms. MacLeod followed Mr. Baird.

She succeeded him in the provincial riding of Nepean-Carleton after he left Queen's Park for federal politics.

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