Murray Downing has won the Liberal nomination for Brandon-Souris, a federal riding in southwestern Manitoba.
The farmer from Reston, Man., beat out two other contenders, including Canadian Federation of Agriculture president Bob Friesen at the nomination meeting Feb. 16.
Friesen, who also farms in southwestern Manitoba, was eliminated during the first tally in a preferential balloting system. On the second tally, Downing remained ahead to edge out Brandon businessperson Don Kille.
Downing’s campaign for the nomination focused on rural and agricultural issues. He acknowledged afterward that he will need to become a quick study on urban issues if he hopes to win over voters in Brandon, the major centre in the riding, during the next federal election.
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“We know there’s issues in the city too. There’s issues all over.”
Downing rose to attention in the past few years by leading grassroots rallies and other lobbying efforts to demand better farm support from the federal and provincial governments. He also was one of the architects behind a proposal to have cost of production entrenched in the design of farm safety nets.
Brandon-Souris has traditionally been a Conservative stronghold, but Downing said he thinks voters this year can be convinced to elect someone representing the party favoured to win the next federal election.
Friesen did not indicate immediately after the nomination meeting whether he would support Downing in his bid to become the next member of Parliament for Brandon-Souris.
