Candidates file for PC race in Spruce Woods

BRANDON — At least three candidates have submitted paperwork declaring their intention to seek the Progressive Conservative nomination in Spruce Woods, a Tory stronghold, for the upcoming byelection.

Failed leadership candidate Wally Daudrich, Colleen Robbins and Scott Phillips have all had their interviews to run for the provincial party, said multiple party members familiar with the matter.

“I hope that I will be able to do as great as Grant (Jackson) did,” said Robbins, who lives in Souris and is the PC party director for the southwest region, which includes the Spruce Woods constituency.

The party didn’t confirm Daudrich and Phillips are running, but members said the two had completed their applications and are waiting to be approved, along with Robbins.

The byelection, expected to be held in early fall, was triggered on March 24 when Jackson resigned to run in the federal election in Brandon-Souris. He easily won the seat in the April 28 election.

Robbins said she’s running for the nomination on June 7 because many people encouraged her to do so.

“The people that I’m running (against)… I don’t feel confident with them. So, I feel I can do better for the party than the others,” she said.

Daudrich, who lives near Morden and owns a lodge in Churchill, announced his intention to run in the byelection after narrowly losing the race to Fort Whyte MLA Obby Khan on April 26.

Daudrich garnered 53 more votes than Khan in the leadership vote, but because votes were weighted by constituency, he lost the campaign.

Phillips is currently a councillor in the Rural Municipality of Sifton.

Daudrich didn’t respond to requests for comment.

Jordan Sisson, who was chief of staff to former premier Heather Stefanson, said even though Daudrich has a high profile, he isn’t a shoo-in to win the nomination.

“A lot of folks, especially in Manitoba, really take pride in their representative being from their constituency,” said Sisson. “That being said, Wally (Daudrich) spent the last 16 months campaigning to be leader, so there’s no doubt that he’s talked to people in Spruce Woods.”

He said Daudrich might be unaware of local issues, while his prospective opponents would be.

Sisson said it’s hard to tell who will win the nomination, and the fact the other candidates are also involved in politics will make it harder for voters to pick a clear front-runner.

Robbins said if Daudrich had won the leadership it would make sense for him to run in Spruce Woods to get a seat in the legislature as fast as possible.

She said there’s no reason for him to run for a seat following his loss.

“I have no idea why he would just choose (Spruce Woods). Go to your own riding in the next election and put your name forward there, and go where you know people,” she said. “Why wouldn’t you run in your own? Work on your riding for the next two years.”

She said the most important issue is fixing problems in health care, something she said the NDP government hasn’t done.

She said although the byelection is months away, she’ll make sure all constituents are represented.

“I will serve each and every person, whether they vote for me or not. I will be there for Spruce Woods as a whole.”

In an interview with the Brandon Sun on Wednesday, Khan said he ensured there would be a nomination process so members can choose the new candidate.

“Both Wally (Daudrich) and myself both ran our leadership campaigns on the principle of giving back power and voices to grassroots members,” the leader said. “Both of us ran on taking decisions out of back rooms, as they were done historically… I’m more than happy and proud to stand by that.”

Khan said the nomination vote should be exciting, and that people in Spruce Woods are looking forward to the race.

“There’s a lot of excitement, there’s a lot of buzz in the air, and that’s a really good base for the party.”

He said he expects a lot of party members to show up to weigh in, and that the Progressive Conservatives will win the seat again in the byelection.

Daudrich outperformed Khan in Spruce Woods during the leadership race, receiving 151 of 268 votes.

Nominations close May 27. The meeting will take place at the Wawanesa Centennial Hall from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Voters must be members of the party, live in the electoral district, and be at least 14 years old on the day of the vote.

Premier Wab Kinew has to schedule the byelection for no later than Sept. 24, six months after Jackson stepped down, as per Elections Manitoba rules.

— Brandon Sun