A former Manitoba MLA is among the candidates lining up to represent the Progressive Conservatives in the historically safe Winnipeg seat just vacated by former premier Heather Stefanson.
Shannon Martin, who served as a provincial legislator from 2014 to 2023, is seeking the PC nomination for the upcoming byelection in the Tuxedo constituency, he confirmed Tuesday.
Martin said he has already begun knocking on doors in the riding.
Meanwhile, family lawyer Lawrence Pinsky and real estate agent Lori Shenkarow, both longtime Tuxedo residents, have also been soliciting support from party members.
Another former MLA, Kevin Klein, wasn’t immediately available for comment, but is considering a bid for party leadership and thus may choose to enter the legislature through the first available byelection.
Martin is seeking to represent his third constituency in the legislature, after previously representing the now dissolved riding of Morris and later the McPhillips riding. He opted not to run in last October’s provincial election.
The Tuxedo seat has historically been a stronghold of the Progressive Conservatives, but in last year’s provincial election the NDP came within 300 votes of taking the seat.
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew is not saying when he will call a byelection, but under provincial law, it must be held within six months of the seat becoming vacant.