MONTREAL

Melanie Joly wants to run for federal Liberals

The Canadian Press Published Tuesday, February 24, 2015 4:27PM EST

Montreal mayoralty candidate Melanie Joly speaks to supporters during the first debate in Montreal, Friday, August 16, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

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MONTREAL -- The runner-up in Montreal's 2013 mayoral race says she wants to run for the Liberals in the next federal election.

Melanie Joly says she will seek the nomination in the federal riding of Ahuntsic-Cartierville.

Joly finished a surprise second in 2013 behind Mayor Denis Coderre, a former Liberal MP and cabinet minister.

She left the municipal party she helped found one year later for the private sector, but always maintained she was interested in returning to politics.

Joly, a lawyer and former communications firm executive, was one of the organizers behind Justin Trudeau's campaign for Liberal Party leadership.

If she's able to win the nomination, Joly will be up against star New Democrat candidate Maria Mourani, a criminologist and former Bloc MP who was acclaimed as NPD candidate in January.