Manitoba’s Progressive Conservative Party has a new leader: Fort Whyte MLA Obby Khan, who narrowly defeated Churchill businessman Wally Daudrich in a close leadership contest decided by mail-in ballots. Khan secured 50.4% of the weighted points, winning 2,198.8 points to Daudrich’s 2,163.2, after a six-month leadership race.
A former CFL offensive lineman and current MLA since 2022, Khan focused on unity and experience during his campaign, emphasizing his legislative role as a key advantage. Following his win, Khan pledged to unite the party to challenge Premier Wab Kinew’s NDP government in the 2027 provincial election.
The leadership race was triggered after Heather Stefanson stepped down in early 2024, months after losing the 2023 election. The PCs opted for a lengthy leadership process to avoid controversies like those that surrounded Stefanson’s 2021 win.
Khan’s victory also marks a historic moment: he becomes the first Muslim and first South Asian Canadian to lead the Manitoba PCs. Supported by half of the PC caucus during the campaign, Khan outlined priorities such as expanding public-private partnerships in healthcare and increasing municipal funding, though detailed policies remain limited for now.
Wally Daudrich, despite winning more raw votes, lost under the weighted system designed to balance constituency influence. Although he had positioned himself as a populist conservative and considered removing “Progressive” from the party’s name, Daudrich accepted the results through his campaign manager.
With the PCs holding 20 of 57 seats in the Legislature, Khan faces a challenging road ahead in rebuilding the party. Meanwhile, the governing NDP quickly launched political attacks, highlighting the intense competition awaiting in Manitoba’s political landscape.
Source: Swifteradio.com
