Coun. Marty Morantz makes it official, seeks federal Tory nomination
Rookie Winnipeg councillor also quits seat on executive policy committee, role as council public works chair
Coun. MartyMorantzhas officially declared he wants to be the Conservative candidate in the federalridingheld by Liberal MP DougEyolfson.
The rookieCharleswood-Tuxedo-WhyteRidge councillor announced Thursday he will seek the federal Conservative nomination inCharleswood-St.James-Assiniboia-Headingley.
Morantz, first elected to city council in 2014, willrun in the 2019 federal election if he succeeds in his bid for the nomination in the west Winnipeg riding.
The seat and its predecessorshavegone back and forth between conservative parties and the Liberals over the past two decades.Eyolfsonwon the seat in 2015 by defeating Conservative MPSteven Fletcher by 6,122votes.
MLA and former MP Steven Fletcher and analyst Stephen Barber are also seeking the Conservative nomination inCharleswood-St.James-Assiniboia-Headingley.
Right time for move: Morantz
Morantzsaid he has resigned from city council's executive policy committee, as well as his position as city council public works chair.
He said the time was right for him to make a move, both personally and professionally.
"I've really enjoyed my time on city council. But I've always been interested in party politics," saidMorantz, who made an unsuccessful provincial run as a Progressive Conservative candidate in River Heights in 2011.
Mayor Brian Bowman moved quickly to replaceMorantz, appointing St. BonifaceCoun. MattAllardtoEPCas the new public works chair.
Should Morantzsucceed in his effort to claim the nomination, as many as four of the city's 15 seats could be wide open in October.
Coun. Jenny Gerbasi, the longest-serving member of council, announced in March she won't seek a sixth term in Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry.
The newly renamed and redrawnSt. Norbert council seat will be wide open, as South Winnipeg-St. Norbert Coun. Janice Lukesannounced in January she plans to seek her second council term in the new Waverley West ward.
- Jenny Gerbasi Winnipeg's longest-serving councillor won't seek 6th term
- Janice Lukes to run for councillor in new Waverley West ward
- Absence from council explained: Wyatt being treated for addictions
The fate of Transcona is also up in the air, as 16-year councillor Russ Wyatt has been absent from city hall since January due toaddictions treatment.
The 2018 municipal election is slated for Oct. 24. Mayoral candidateregistrationbegan onMay 1, while council candidates may register starting June 30.
The deadline for entering the municipal race is Sept. 18, when the nomination period closes.
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