TORONTO - Liberal Rick Johnson says he'll challenge Progressive Conservative Leader John Tory in an upcoming byelection that could see Tory return to the Ontario legislature.

Johnson says he'll seek the Liberal nomination in the central Ontario riding of Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock.

The school board chairman lost to Conservative Laurie Scott in the 2007 election, but pulled in about 30 per cent of the votes.

Scott, who has represented the riding for five years, agreed earlier this month to step aside so Tory could run in a byelection and return to the legislature.

Premier Dalton McGuinty has not yet called the byelection and has up to six months to do so.

Johnson, who lives in the riding, says his campaign will put local issues front and centre.