Fomer MLA Grant Jackson running for Conservatives
March 31, 2025, 10:30 am
Ryan Kiedrowski, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The first days of the federal election campaign have been busy in the Brandon-Souris riding. On Sunday, March 23, the election campaign officially began—the same day former MP Larry Maguire announced he would not seek re-election as a Member of Parliament, citing health issues.
This meant someone needed to step in for the Conservative Party in Brandon-Souris quickly. That candidate is Spruce Woods MLA Grant Jackson.
“It is certainly sudden, and Larry’s condition is very concerning, so he’s making the right decision for his personal health,” Jackson said. “I’m just honoured that the federal party has asked me to be the candidate, and I’m going to get out to the doors. I started door knocking last night to earn every vote that I can.”
The transition took place quickly, as Jackson explained how Maguire called him the very morning of his announcement.
“I got a phone call from Larry Sunday morning, letting me know what he was going to be announcing later publicly,” he said. “As a mentor, a friend, and an MLA in the region, he just wanted to give me the heads up. Then not long after that, I got a phone call from the federal party asking me if I would be interested in being their candidate.”
With the short timeframe and already being into the writ period, there was no time for a nomination race. Jackson took a day to think about the new opportunity before deciding to accept.
“I went to Winnipeg, I had conversations with my Progressive Conservative MLA colleagues, who were all very supportive,” Jackson said. “Of course, they were sad to see me go, but very supportive if this is what I decided to do, and basically that was it. I had that much time to talk to my family, my partner’s family, and then we had to resign to the speaker, and we were off to the races.”
With Jackson’s departure as MLA, a by-election is expected in Spruce Woods.
“I’m encouraged that there are a number of people who have reached out to me already who are interested in running for the seat and for the Progressive Conservative nomination first,” he said.
