Another man down

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This article was published 28/12/2022 (727 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Heather Stefanson is losing her right-hand man.

Deputy Premier Cliff Cullen has advised the premier he will not seek re-election next year after representing the Tories in a rural stronghold for 18 years.

“After nearly two decades as an MLA and a minister, it’s time for me to be Cliff,” the member for Spruce Woods wrote in a Dec. 29 letter to Stefanson.

He is also the minister of economic development, investment and trade.

Cullen is the latest veteran Progressive Conservative MLA to throw in the towel.

Of the 36 PC MLAs, five others have confirmed they will not seek re-election, including Municipal Relations Minister Eileen Clarke (Agassiz) and Ralph Eichler (Lakeside), Dennis Smook (La Verendrye), Blaine Pedersen (Midland) and Ian Wishart (Portage la Prairie).

The election is scheduled for Oct. 3, 2023.

Cullen wrote that he doesn’t take the decision to leave elected office lightly.

“However, there comes a time when you arrive at a fork in the road and you must choose a path forward,” his letter said.

He turned 60 this year, his spouse retired, his three sons are starting careers and their own families, and his parents are healthy and “anxious to spend more time with their son in their golden years,” the letter said.

In a statement, the premier praised and thanked Cullen for his years of public service.

“It is with great regret but complete respect that I accept the decision of Cliff Cullen not to run again as the MLA for Spruce Woods,” Stefanson said.

“Cliff has been a dedicated public servant for many years and has worked with distinction not only as the member for the constituency but as cabinet minister in several departments. I join with the residents of Spruce Woods, Westman and all Manitobans to offer him many thanks.”

Wishart announced earlier this month he will not run again, telling Portage OnLine he’s honoured to have served for 12 years and that elected office occasionally needs new people. “I’m getting up in age, as well, and another four-year term seems like a little too much of my future, without really knowing how long that might be.”

The Tories also added two new faces to their caucus this year: Fort Whyte MLA Obby Khan and Kirkfield Park MLA Kevin Klein, who both won byelections after two prominent PCs resigned: former premier Brian Pallister and cabinet minister Scott Fielding.

Tory MLAs who have not yet declared their intentions or had their nominations announced by the party include: Rick Wowchuk (Swan River), Cathy Cox (Kildonan-River East), Brad Michaleski (Dauphin), Shannon Martin (McPhillips), Reg Helwer (Brandon West), Sarah Guillemard (Fort Richmond), Kelvin Goertzen (Steinbach), Alan Lagimodiere (Selkirk), and Myrna Driedger (Roblin).

While he won’t be part of Stefanson’s PC team in the next election — which polls suggest the governing party is on track to lose — Cullen said he will “do everything in my power to ensure that Manitobans re-elect a Progressive Conservative majority government under strong leadership.”

“There remains only one leader and one party capable of realizing our potential” — Stefanson and the PCs, Cullen wrote.

— with file from Danielle DaSilva

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca

Cullen’s letter to Premier Stefanson