Fort Whyte MLA Obby Khan 1st to enter race to become next leader of Manitoba PCs

The MLA for Fort Whyte is running to become the next leader of the Manitoba Progressive Conservative Party, promising he would help "unleash Manitoba's full potential."

Obby Khan became the first leadership candidate to officially announce his entry into the race on Tuesday, through a new campaign website.

Khan said he's been humbled by the number of people who have encouraged him to run for leadership, and that he considers it an honour to put his name forward.

"I think the one thing Manitobans need to take away is that this is going to be a new Progressive Conservative Party going forward if I'm honoured to be the leader," he told CBC outside the Manitoba Legislative Building, shortly after he picked up his paperwork and told his friends and family about his decision.

"We are going to work together. We're going to work positively going forward. We are going to build a better Manitoba for everyone," he said.

Khan said he believes the province can become a "shining light in Canada."

"I moved here after I was done university from Vancouver, from Ottawa, and I chose to live in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Why? Because I believe this province can do that. We haven't unleashed that yet. We're going to unleash that in the next few years," Khan said. 

Lac du Bonnet MLA Wayne Ewasko has been serving as the party's interim leader since former premier Heather Stefanson stepped down from the role in January.

She announced her intention to step down as leader last October, after the PCs were defeated by the Manitoba NDP in the provincial election, and resigned as an MLA earlier this year.

Stefanson became PC Party leader in 2021, following the resignation of then premier Brian Pallister.

Khan said he made the decision to run after discussions with his family and son, saying he wants to give back to communities and continue to be a team player, which the former Winnipeg Blue Bombers player and business owner says is the reason he joined the PC Party.

He won the Fort Whyte seat — previously held by Pallister — in a 2022 byelection, and was re-elected last fall following a campaign during which he became the face of the party's "parental rights" messaging.

On Tuesday, he declined to discuss that issue, but he said he'll be making policy announcements in the coming months 

While Khan is the first to officially enter the race, he said he anticipates competition.

Steinbach MLA Kelvin Goertzen, who served as interim leader and premier after Pallister's resignation, indicated months ago that he wouldn't run for the PC leadership, and said Tuesday his stance hasn't changed following Khan's announcement.

"I think it's an exciting day for the party that somebody like Obby Khan wants to be part of the leadership race," Goertzen said. 

"I do know that through his years of connection, through sports, through business, through politics, I think he has a real sense of the province and really cares for the future of the province."

The Opposition party officially kicked off its leadership race in June, and potential candidates have until Oct. 15 to register.

The new leader will be selected at a convention on April 26, 2025. Manitoba residents who have a PC membership by Feb. 28 will be able to cast a ballot.