Manitoba Progressive Conservatives have 11,000 members as April leadership vote looms

WINNIPEG — Just under 11,000 people have taken out memberships in the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba in time to vote for next month's leadership race. Party officials say that's an increase from the 2,200 members the party had when the race was launched last summer. The Tories are rebuilding after losing the 2023 election and members will choose between Obby Khan, a member of the legislature and former cabinet minister, and Wally Daudrich, a hotel owner and longtime party board member.

Members will vote, primarily by mail-in ballot, and a winner is to be declared April 26. One political analyst says Daudrich has an uphill battle against Khan, who is viewed as the establishment candidate with the backing of many caucus members. Paul Thomas, at the University of Manitoba, says that's partly because new party rules cap the number of votes in any one constituency, so candidates have to garner broad support across the province.



This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 10, 2025. Steve Lambert, The Canadian Press.