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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Ousted Grit exec may seek top job
'Better than 50-50' chance Wolbert runs
Ruth Bonneville / Winnipeg Free Press Archives Harry Wolbert is mulling his options.
A former Manitoba Liberal executive member whose party membership was suspended after he and a colleague leaked details of a possible merger with the Manitoba Greens is considering a run for the Grit leadership.
Harry Wolbert said in an interview Monday his chances of running are "better than 50-50."
He would be the third person to express interest in succeeding party leader Jon Gerrard, who announced his resignation this spring. Gerrard is remaining as interim leader until the provincial Liberals choose his successor in October 2013.
Business consultant Robert Young and Toronto-based lobbyist Ajay Chopra, born and raised in Winnipeg, have expressed interest in the post.
"I think I can generate a lot more interest and excitement in the campaign than has so far been demonstrated by the two declared candidates," said Wolbert, an anti-poverty activist and outreach worker for disabled persons. "I think it's time for a new era in liberalism and Manitoba politics."
Wolbert's suspension remains in effect until the end of December. After the disciplinary measure was announced, he quit the party March 5.
Wolbert said he has many friends and supporters within the Liberal fold who have asked him to rejoin the party.
He was opposed to a Liberal-Green alliance and was pleased to see the party reject the notion at its May convention. "The party membership agreed with me. So I was on the right side on that issue," he said Monday.
Wolbert made headlines during last fall's provincial election campaign when, as a candidate for St. Vital and party board member, he mused that the Liberals might be wiped off the political map, adding the "writing may be on the wall" for Gerrard's leadership.
Gerrard was the only Liberal to win a seat in the Oct. 4 election.
Dennis Trochim, executive director of the Manitoba Liberals, said Wolbert would be free to rejoin the party once his suspension ends.
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 24, 2012 A6
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