Race for Manitoba PC Leadership Heats Up as Two Candidates Enter the Running
Obby Khan Enters Race to Lead Manitoba’s Progressive Conservatives
WINNIPEG – Former provincial cabinet minister and Canadian Football League (CFL) veteran Obby Khan has officially launched his campaign to lead Manitoba’s Progressive Conservative (PC) Party. With a focus on restoring the party’s connection with voters, Khan is the first contender to enter the race to replace outgoing leader Heather Stefanson.
Stefanson announced her resignation after the party lost last year’s provincial election to the New Democratic Party (NDP). The PC leadership election will take place on April 26, 2025, with the nomination period open until October 15.
Khan, who played professional football for nine seasons in the CFL, transitioned to politics by securing a seat in the Manitoba legislature in 2022. He later served as minister of sport, culture, and heritage. In launching his leadership bid, Khan said he aims to bring renewed energy and fresh ideas to a party that has struggled to maintain influence, especially within urban constituencies.
“People have asked me to step forward and help rebuild the relationship between our party and Manitobans,” Khan said. “The focus right now is on moving forward and generating ideas that resonate with a new generation.”
Rebuilding Amid Setbacks
The Progressive Conservatives currently hold 21 seats in the legislature, trailing the governing NDP’s 35 seats. The Liberals control just one seat. Although the Tories performed well in the overall popular vote during the 2023 election, they struggled in key Winnipeg ridings—many of which hold decisive sway in provincial politics.
The party’s difficulties extended into June 2024, when the Tories lost the Tuxedo seat in Winnipeg—a former party stronghold vacated by Stefanson.
Khan refrained from addressing the controversies that plagued the Tories’ recent election campaign, including backlash over ads related to a landfill search for missing and murdered Indigenous women and a promise to safeguard “parental rights.” However, he assured that these issues will be addressed in due time.
“I will be discussing those as we move forward,” Khan stated, signaling his intent to steer the party toward a forward-looking agenda.
With his background in professional sports and public service, Khan’s candidacy introduces a fresh dynamic into the leadership race as the PCs aim to recover lost ground and reestablish their political relevance in the province.
Source : The Canadian Press
