Wharton running for election in new riding

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This article was published 29/08/2019 (2464 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Jeff Wharton is the Progressive Conservative candidate for the new provincial riding of Red River North.

In 2016, Wharton was elected as MLA for Gimli. The Winnipeg Beach resident had previously served on his local municipal council.

“My grassroots political career helped set stage for where I am now,” Wharton, 56, told The Herald. “I’m looking forward to continuing on.”

Following the Electoral Boundaries Commission’s report in 2018, a new riding of Red River North was created, which includes the RM of East St. Paul. While Wharton has been a longtime resident of Winnipeg Beach, he said his work as Minister of Municipal Relations has made him familiar with the communities on the east side of Lake Winnipeg.

“I’ve gotten to know the area well,” he said.

An entrepreneur by trade, Wharton and his wife Mickey purchased Globe Moving and Storage Ltd. in 1989.

“We started Globe Moving and Storage out of our spare bedroom in the city, growing it to over 150 full time staff,” he said, adding the couple sold the company in 2010.

The Whartons have two adult daughters, and five grandchildren.

“I’m a very proud papa,” Wharton admitted.

As MLA for Gimli, Wharton said he was proud of improvements to housing that he helped facilitate.

“Those projects were really close to the community,” he said.

If elected as MLA for Red River North, Wharton hopes he can do similar work for his constituents with regard to infrastructure.

“Road are obviously important, but so are sewer and water,” he said. “If we want to grow these communities, those are things we need to improve.”

In the meantime, Wharton said he will continue knocking on doors, connecting with voters.

“I just want to continue to have open and honest dialogue, built on trust,” he said.

Sheldon Birnie
Community Journalist

Sheldon Birnie is a reporter/photographer for the Free Press Community Review. Email him at sheldon.birnie@freepress.mb.ca or call him at 204-697-7112

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