Gord Steeves has announced he wants to run in this fall's provincial election, coming on the heels of rumours about his candidacy that began circulating earlier in the week.
Steeves, who has been a city councillor in the St. Vital ward for more than a decade, hopes to run in Seine River constituency and is seeking the PC party nomination.
"I just genuinely believe that we're off in the wrong direction in this province and that is truly what this is about for me," said Steeves.
If he is successful in his bid to get the nomination, Steeves will square off against NDP incumbent, and current health minister, Theresa Oswald in October's provincial election.
Oswald said the race will be decided by voters.
"Gord Steeves doesn't get to decide. I don't get to decide – only Manitobans get to decide, when they go to the ballot box," said Oswald.
The NDP also issued a media release, claiming Steeves recently said he'd like to privatize Manitoba Public Insurance.
Steeves, surrounded by colleagues from city hall, said he was disappointed.
"I've had many people run against me in my career. I have never said an ill word about anybody," said Steeves.
Previously on the provincial politics front, Steeves ran unsuccessfully for the Liberals in 1995.
If Steeves wins the Conservative nomination on June 23, he'll resign from city hall, likely sometime in mid August.
- with a report from CTV's Laura Lowe
