Byram vying for Agassiz PC nomination

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This article was published 17/09/2022 (1099 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

With Agassiz MLA Eileen Clarke set to retire by Manitoba’s next provincial election, her constituency assistant is hoping to succeed her as the next Progressive Conservative nominee for the district.

Earlier this month, Neepawa resident Jodie Byram announced her intent to seek the Agassiz nomination and move into a more prominent political role after working with Clarke since the latter launched her campaign for election to the Manitoba legislature in 2016.

Byram, a mother of three and long-distance runner, told the Sun that it’s a good time in her life to pursue political office for the first time, with her youngest child having graduated from high school earlier this year.

Byram grew up on a grain and cattle farm near Brookdale, between Neepawa and Carberry.

“I know what it’s like to live that rural life, and I’m grassroots,” she said. “I’m not afraid to dig my heels in and get the job done. I enjoy talking to people. Everybody has a story. Some may be more passionate than others, but I love it all. We’re all very different and I love hearing from people of different backgrounds and hearing what the issues are.”

Having seen the example Clarke has set, Byram said she thinks she can fill that role for constituents.

“Watching her, she’s been a fantastic role model and mentor,” Byram said. “I know what she’s done for Agassiz as a whole, and what she does behind the scenes. She’s demonstrated commitment, integrity and dedicated to serving the people. I’ve been with her along that journey.”

Last year, Clarke made headlines in Manitoba after resigning from cabinet as minister of Indigenous and northern affairs following controversial comments made by then-premier Brian Pallister.

If elected, Byram said she would continue Clarke’s example of integrity.

Asked for comment on Byram’s candidacy, Clarke said she could not comment on nomination races within the party as an elected official, and must remain neutral until after a candidate is chosen.

Since Agassiz was formed in a merger of the former constituency of Ste. Rose and part of the Turtle Mountain district in 2011, voters there have elected a Progressive Conservative representative in all three subsequent elections.

Some of the party’s greatest achievements in Agassiz, Byram said, include helping Neepawa become one of the province’s fastest-growing communities, economic growth and housing developments that have supported communities like Gladstone and Carberry, the resurfacing of Highway 34, and the construction of a new school and new hospital in Neepawa.

She also said the government’s Building Sustainable Communities grants and partnerships with the federal government on infrastructure projects have benefited the region.

The Manitoba NDP has yet to nominate a candidate for Agassiz, but a party spokesperson told the Sun last week that it had assembled a slate of candidates for more than half of Manitoba’s constituencies.

The NDP does have some Westman nominees appointed, including Glen Simard in Brandon and Lorna Canada Vanegas-Mesa in Turtle Mountain.

The Manitoba Liberals do not have any nominated candidates for Westman yet.

Under Manitoba’s fixed-term elections legislation, an election must be called on or before Oct. 2, 2023.

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