Former Manitoba Liberal leader Rana Bokhari wants to be the next mayor of Winnipeg.
Bokhari, who served as provincial liberal leader from 2013 to 2016 but was not in the Manitoba legislature, registered his campaign for mayor on Friday.
The Winnipeg lawyer said she is running to ensure that young people do not leave Winnipeg, which she said she will do to make everyone feel included.
“Embracing the diversity of our citizens will always be the key to Winnipeg,” he said in an interview.
“I want to show that everyone, especially historically marginalized people, not only deserves a seat at the table, but they need to be heard.”
Bokhari said he plans to spend the next two weeks knocking on doors and will collect what people tell him on his campaign platform.
She is now the ninth candidate to run for mayor Brian Bowman, who is not seeking a third term this October.
Bokhari joins biosystems engineer Idris Ademuyiwa Adelakun, grocery worker Chris Clacio in St. Louis. James Coun. Scott Gillingham, former provincial policy adviser Shaun Loney, business consultant Jenny Motkaluk, former Liberal MP Robert-Falcon Ouellette, Wilderness Supply owner Rick Shone and security firm owner Don Woodstock.
In addition, Manitoba Minister of Families Rochelle Squires has said she will announce her mayoral intentions after the June 1 legislative session ends.
“I am very encouraged by the many Winnipeggers calls I have received and I am honored to have their trust,” Squires said in a statement.
Registration is required to allow candidates to raise or spend money on their campaigns. To appear on the ballot, candidates must also complete a nomination process in September.
In his only candidacy for the provincial office in 2016, Bokhari finished third in Winnipeg’s Fort Rouge constituency, behind NPD leader Wab Kinew and PC candidate Audrey Gordon, who won a seat in 2019. and is now the Manitoba Minister of Health.
Bokhari said he now has more experience with campaigns.
“At the time I didn’t know what I didn’t know. I definitely had no idea there would be such a bloody answer for me: bullying, death threats, constant derogatory comments,” he said.
Bokhari said station Tracy Koga is acting as campaign manager.