Peta Credlin, the former chief of staff to Tony Abbott, has reportedly been sounded out to challenge a federal cabinet minister for a blue-ribbon Liberal seat in Melbourne.
A group of millionaire Victorian Liberal Party members want Ms Credlin to oust Kelly O'Dwyer from the seat of Higgins, and have made an unofficial approach, News Corp reports.
"I have not been formally approached to run for Higgins," Ms Credlin told the paper.
Ms Credlin ran the prime minister's office when Mr Abbott was leader and is now a newspaper columnist and political commentator on television.
She has previously said has been offered preselection for various seats in parliament.
But she has shied away from entering politics in favour of backroom roles so she wouldn't have to kowtow to "nameless nobody" party branch officials.
Ms O'Dwyer fought off a strong challenge from the Greens at last year's federal election.
Higgins has been a jewel in the Liberal crown for 67 years, having been held by two prime ministers - Harold Holt and John Gorton - and Australia's longest-serving treasurer Peter Costello.
Ms O'Dwyer's stocks rose after Malcolm Turnbull became prime minister, and after "knocking on the cabinet door" for many years under Mr Abbott she was finally promoted.
