Summary: PC MLA Bonnie Mitchelson is stepping down after 30 years, adding an element of mystery to what has been one of the few reliable PC seats in Winnipeg.
Boundaries: A small riding on the northern edge of Winnipeg, River East is bordered by Glenway Avenue to the north, the Red River to the west, and generally Springfield Road to the south.
Last Election: Mitchelson defeated NDP challenger Kurt Penner by over 700 votes, 51-44 per cent—the fourth straight election decided by less than 1,000 votes.
History: Mitchelson, a cabinet minister in the Filmon government, has been MLA since 1986. Prior to that, NDP MLA Phil Eyler held the riding for one term.
Candidates
NDP: Jody Gillis, instructor at Red River College
Progressive Conservative: Cathy Cox, local volunteer and community leader
Liberal: Piero Scaramuzzi