A Nanaimo MLA is considering leaving provincial politics to make a run for mayor. If he does, the move could shift the balance of power in British Columbia.

“A great number of people have encouraged me,” Leonard Krog told the Vancouver Sun. “I have nothing to announce now, but at some point I will have something to say.”

Krog is a member of the New Democrats, which have 41 seats in the legislature compared to the Liberals' 42. The NDP is only able to lead the province with the help of the B.C. Greens, which have three seats to give their NDP-Green alliance a total of 44 seats.

If Krog resigns from provincial politics, that would bring the NDP's hold on power down to 43 seats versus the Liberals' 42. Then a byelection would be held to fill Krog's seat and if the Liberals win that contest, the legislature would find itself in a 43-43 tie.

When there is a tie vote in the legislature, the Speaker can cast a vote to break it.

The speaker's position is held by Darryl Plecas, an independent MLA and former Liberal MLA who was ejected from that party after he accepted the job of Speaker when it was offered to him by the NDP and the Greens.

It's possible Plecas would vote with the NDP and Greens to keep their partnership in place and allow John Horgan to hang on to the premier's chair, but far from certain.

B.C.'s next round of civic elections is scheduled for October 2018. Whether Krog decides to leave provincial politics to make a run for Nanaimo mayor just became one of the biggest stories to watch ahead of those contests.