Tories launch nomination process for Pallister’s vacant seat in Fort Whyte

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 13/01/2022 (1080 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba says its nomination process for the Fort Whyte riding byelection has officially begun.

So far, only star candidate Obby Khan, the former Winnipeg Blue Bombers offensive lineman and entrepreneur, has announced he plans to run. The seat has been vacant since former premier Brian Pallister resigned Oct. 4.

In a press release late Friday, the party said “multiple people” have expressed interest.

“This is an exciting time and we’re looking forward to a competitive race,” party president Tom Wiebe is quoted as saying.

Former federal Conservative candidate Melanie Maher refreshed her Facebook page to read, “Melanie Maher for Fort Whyte.” She did not respond to a request for comment Friday.

Maher ran in the last federal election in Winnipeg South and lost to Liberal incumbent Terry Duguid. Her LinkedIn profile says she is a special assistant to the Minister of Mental Health, Wellness and Recovery.

Winnipeg optometrist Navroop Warraich said in a radio interview earlier this month that she, too, was considering a run for the Tories in Fort Whyte. She did not respond to a request for comment late Friday.

Khan is seeking to be the first Muslim MLA to represent the diverse southwest Winnipeg riding that has been held by the PCs since its creation in 1999.

The party said its three-day nomination meeting will commence with livestreamed speeches on Feb. 10, with in-person voting open Feb. 11 and 12. The byelection has to take place by March 29. The Legislative Assembly Act says a byelection must be held within 180 days of a seat becoming vacant.

The NDP has already nominated retired Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra executive director Trudy Schroeder to run in Fort Whyte, and the Liberals’ pick is Willard Reaves, another former Winnipeg Blue Bomber.

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca