Former Blue Bomber Reaves launches Liberal leadership bid

Willard Reaves aims to become the leader of the Manitoba Liberal Party.

Reaves, a star Winnipeg Blue Bomber in the 1980s who also played a stint in the National Football League, announced his intention to run for leader of the longtime third-place party outside the Manitoba Legislature on Sunday afternoon.

“It’s time to get to work,” said Reaves, 66.

“I will be the best leader that this province can ever have, because my passion is about the people, not the parties.”

The party is set to hold a leadership contest on Oct. 25, though Reaves is thus far unopposed. He will be acclaimed if no other candidates put their names forward.

Reaves said he’s confident he’ll be able to build the Manitoba Liberals into a viable political force and help the party gain official status in the provincial legislature in the next general election. The party has just one seat currently.

The next election must be held on Oct. 5, 2027 at the latest, but could be called beforehand.

“We’re going to build the party step by step, that’s the only way we can do it,” said Reaves.

“If we can’t do it step by step, then we’re going to start jumping, but we’re going to build this party up. This party is a viable party, this party can be something for everybody to grab hold of and support.”

Reaves twice lost as a Liberal candidate in Fort Whyte, first in a 2022 by-election and again in the 2023 general election.

Both races were won by Progressive Conservative Leader Obby Khan, also a former Bomber. The riding was previously held by former premier and PC leader Brian Pallister.

Reaves lives in the Fort Whyte constituency, but said Sunday he has not committed to running there again.

Reaves was named deputy leader of the Liberals in November 2023, but stepped down in June 2024.

Reaves announced his intention to seek the leadership position flanked by former Liberal Member of the Legislative Assembly for River Heights Jon Gerrard.

Gerrard held the River Heights seat from 1999 to 2023, when he was defeated by New Democrat Mike Moroz.

The Liberals currently have just one MLA, Cindy Lamoureux, who represents Tyndall Park. She said in June she wasn’t interested in seeking the leadership.

Lamoureux has been interim leader since former leader Dougald Lamont lost his St. Boniface seat to NDP candidate Robert Loiselle in the 2023 election. Lamont then resigned as leader.

Reaves was born in Arizona. After retiring from football in the United States, he moved back to Canada and worked as a sheriff for Manitoba Justice for 21 years.

erik.pindera@freepress.mb.ca