Former federal MP Ken McDonald has announced his intention to run for the Liberals in the next provincial election.

McDonald broke the news on his social media this morning following months of speculation about his intentions.

He will be seeking the Liberal nod in in the district of Conception Bay South, a seat currently held by PC MHA Barry Petten.

McDonald says his decision to run for provincial politics makes sense.

“I live in Kelligrews in Conception Bay South” McDonald told VOCM Open Line this morning, “if I have to get to Confederation Building within 25-30 minutes I can be there. To go back and forth to Ottawa it takes hours and hours on a plane, and nothing direct. You’ve got to go through Toronto or Montreal, you’re half a day doing it.”

McDonald gained notoriety over the last few years as a bit of a maverick and a vocal opponent of the Trudeau government’s carbon tax.