Former Winnipeg city councillor Shawn Nason will represent Manitoba’s Progressive Conservative party in the upcoming Transcona byelection.
Nason, who served as Transcona’s city councillor from 2018 to 2022, was the only incumbent defeated in the last municipal election when Russ Wyatt reclaimed the seat. He has also worked as a special legislative assistant to provincial ministers Scott Fielding and Eileen Clarke and as a constituency manager for former federal Conservative MP Lawrence Toet.
Beyond politics, Nason has held board positions with the Transcona Historical Museum, Rotary Club of Winnipeg East, Oxford Heights Community Club, and FC Northwest Soccer Club. He has also been involved with local Montessori and school associations and coached youth football, hockey, and basketball.
The byelection, set for March 18, follows the passing of former NDP MLA Nello Altomare, who died last month at 61. Altomare, diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2019, was appointed education minister after the NDP’s 2023 election win but took medical leave in October. Tracy Schmidt was sworn in as his replacement in January.
The Manitoba NDP has nominated educator Shannon Corbett, who previously worked as a teacher and vice-principal in the River East Transcona School Division. Corbett secured the nomination over union organizer Roque Anonuevo.
The Manitoba Liberal Party plans to announce its candidate next week, while the Green Party has opted not to run out of respect for Altomare’s passing.
Transcona, established as a riding in 1969, has historically been an NDP stronghold but has seen leadership shifts between the NDP, Progressive Conservatives, and Liberals.
Source: Swifteradio.com
