The Manitoba Liberals have named an interim replacement for exiting leader Rana Bokhari.
The party named Kewatinook MLA Judy Klassen to the interim job, the first indigenous person to take on leadership of a provincial party.
“I recognize that there is a lot of work to be done,” Klassen said at the announcement Friday. “I believe with my work ethic, armed with the Manitoba Liberal party, together we can accomplish great things for the party.”
Klassen was first elected in the riding in last spring’s provincial election. She is the first Liberal to ever win the seat.
According to the Manitoba Liberals’ website, she grew up in a remote fly-in northern reserve. She campaigned on improving living and economic conditions in northern communities.
When asked if she would stay on as permanent leader of the party, Klassen said she wasn’t ruling it out.
“That’s not off the table, but right now my focus is interim leader,” she said.
September 24 marked Bokhari’s last day as leader. Her exit comes after a disappointing campaign where she failed to win a seat during the 2016 provincial election.
