Eichler going for fifth term

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This article was published 12/08/2019 (2430 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Progressive Conservative candidate Ralph Eichler, 69, is entering his fifth election campaign after first being elected as Lakeside MLA in 2003.

“I was going to be a two-term MLA,” he said, adding that he continues to be engaged politically to work on improving Manitoba’s economy, and specifically creating more jobs in agriculture and improving market access for Manitoba farmers. These goals relate to his work as agriculture minister in the government led by Brian Pallister.

“I’m not close to being done,” Eichler joked. He pointed out that Lakeside has only had three MLAs since 1922 – Douglas Campbell, Harry Enns and himself.

Lakeside constituency’s boundaries have changed and it now includes Elie, St. Eustache, Poplar Point, St. François Xavier and Springstein, as well as Rosser. Eichler said he’s met with the Cartier and SFX municipal councils.

“The reception’s been good,” he said.

Eichler’s experience in opposition when he was elected in 2003, 2007 and 2011, then as Minister of Agriculture after the 2016 election has allowed him to meet many local farmers, he said.
Eichler and his family have lived in Teulon since 1974. He previously worked as a banker, school board administrator, and owned and operated Prairie Farm and Ranch Supply, a company that he sold before retiring. He currently owns Ray’s Auction Service, and has been involved in many local community groups.

He and his wife Gail have three children and three grandchildren.

Also running in Lakeside is NDP candidate Dan Rugg. No Liberal or Green Party Party candidates had been nominated at press time.