Tight race with no incumbent in Dauphin

By: Nick Martin Posted: 4:00 AM CDT Saturday, Apr. 16, 2016

You could say, “Because that’s the way we’ve always done it,” and NDP candidate Darcy Scheller might be pretty happy up in Dauphin.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*Billed as $4.00 plus GST every four weeks. After 24 weeks, price increases to the regular rate of $19.00 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

*Billed as $19 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.

You could say, “Because that’s the way we’ve always done it,” and NDP candidate Darcy Scheller might be pretty happy up in Dauphin.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/04/2016 (3458 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

You could say, “Because that’s the way we’ve always done it,” and NDP candidate Darcy Scheller might be pretty happy up in Dauphin.

Conservative Brad Michaleski would surely beg to differ.

Only once in 47 years, and that was back in 1977, has a Tory won Dauphin, which had been safely in the hands of NDP stalwart Stan Struthers since 1995.

Struthers was finance minister under Premier Greg Selinger, until Struthers became one of the members of the Gang of Five cabinet ministers who unsuccessfully fought Selinger’s leadership.

Now Dauphin has no incumbent.

“I don’t think it matters,” said Michaleski, who was nominated a year ago. A grain producer who had been a rural councillor, Michaleski said provincial issues have been dominant among Dauphin’s voters. “People have lost trust and confidence in Greg Selinger and the NDP,” he scoffed.

When the Gang of Five failed to oust Selinger, “Everyone rolled their eyes at that, and the effect it would have on the Manitoba economy,” he said.

People worry a lot more about the cuts Brian Pallister could make, especially seniors, Scheller said.

She pointed out the NDP is bringing an MRI machine to Dauphin and a new correctional centre.

“We have a lot of people anticipating those jobs,” she said. “I’m committed to walking our MRI across the finish line.”

You hear the Tories talk a lot about their candidates who have successful careers in business. Scheller started out as a clerk 28 years ago with a company distributing groceries and other goods, rose to be Dauphin general manager and is now the firm’s business development manager for northern Manitoba.

Brandon University political science Prof. Kelly Saunders lamented election fever has not really gripped much of her part of Manitoba. “In Dauphin, Swan River, it’s really lacklustre — it’s pretty flat out here,” Saunders said. Between Struthers retiring and the likelihood of push-back against the NDP, Dauphin could go Tory, said Saunders.

Christopher Adams, a political scientist at the University of Manitoba, would not be surprised if the Tories win Dauphin. “Dauphin is vulnerable, so is Swan River,” said Adams. He said where farmland meets the Canadian Shield, ridings tend to go with what’s happening provincewide.

Garry Gurke is running for the Liberals, Kate Storey for the Greens, and Darrell Inkster for the Manitoba Party.

nick.martin@freepress.mb.ca