Klein will seek a PC nomination in Kirkfield Park | Biden News

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Former Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood councilor Kevin Klein has thrown his hat into the ring to become the MLA for Kirkfield Park.

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Klein announced Friday that he would seek the Progressive Conservative nomination for Kirkfield Park, left vacant when former Finance Minister and Kirkfield Park MLA Scott Fielding stepped down earlier this year.

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Klein represented Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood from 2014 to 2018 before making an unsuccessful bid for mayor, finishing third in Wednesday’s civic election behind Mayor-Elect Scott Gillingham and former mayor Glen Murray.

“Under the leadership of Premier Heather Stefanson, the Computing Team is working hard to make Manitoba Competitive, Strengthen Health Care and Make Life More Affordable for Manitobans. I am excited about the opportunity to work with Premier Stefanson and the entire Computing Team,” Klein said in a statement.

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“It has been a great honor and privilege for me to represent the residents of the Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood ward at city hall for the past four years and advocate on behalf of the residents of my ward. I am well aware of the local issues in Kirkfield Park and have a strong record of addressing any issues, including fighting to save the John Blumberg Golf Course, installing amber lightning on Benson and investing record amounts in parks and trails. I will bring that same passion for the community to the role of MLA for Kirkfield Park.” Klein said.

The provincial government has yet to call a by-election to fill the vacant seat.

Manitoba NDP has selected youth corrections officer and counselor at the Manitoba Youth Center councilor Logan Oxenham, as their candidate in Kirkfield Park while Dennis Bayomi will carry the Green Party of Manitoba banner. The Manitoba Liberals have yet to name a candidate, but Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont said Saturday they will make an announcement soon.

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It is not clear if any other candidates have stepped forward for the Progressive Conservatives or when the constituency members will choose their candidate.

According to Klein’s statement, the first Winnipeg Sun publisher has already obtained the support of the former MLA of the riding.

“I support Kevin Klein for the appointment in Kirkfield Park. I have known and worked with Kevin during his years on City Council,” said Fielding. “Kevin is very committed to the community and has been very active with community groups to ensure their voices were heard when decisions were made. Kevin will make an excellent MLA for the residents of Kirkfield”

Meanwhile, local businesswoman Lauren Stone was elected on Saturday to represent the PCs in the rural riding of Midlands in the next general election. She was selected before Association of Manitoba Municipalities by president Doug Dobrowski and current McPhillips MLA Shannon Martin.

Current Midlands MLA Blaine Pedersen announced last year that he would not seek re-election. The first Minister of Agriculture and Resource DevelopmentPedersen was elected in 2007 and re-elected in 2011, 2016 and 2019.

gdawkins@postmedia.com

Twitter: @SunGlenDawkins