Longtime Manitoba politician Bonnie Mitchelson calls it quits

WINNIPEG – A Manitoba politician is calling it quits after almost 30 years in the legislature.

Progressive Conservative Bonnie Mitchelson says she will not run for re-election when Manitobans go to the polls, probably in 2016.

Mitchelson, who turns 67 next month, was first elected in 1986 and served in a variety of cabinet roles including lotteries, culture and family services.

She was re-elected seven times in her constituency in northeast Winnipeg, keeping the River East seat blue amid a sea of NDP orange.

After the Tories lost power in 1999, Mitchelson was chosen as interim leader and became the first woman to head the party.