After declaring her candidacy less than a week ago, Danielle Adams won the opportunity to represent the NDP in the Thompson constituency at a nomination vote at the United Steelworkers 6166 headquarters May 25.
The only other person on the ballot was Thompson Teachers’ Association president Cathy Pellizzaro, who announced her intention to seek this nomination back in early April.
According to Thompson NDP executive Blair Hudson, 191 Thompson constituency party members voted on Saturday.
Adams, a constituency assistant to Churchill/Churchill-Keewatinook Aski NDP MP Niki Ashton since 2009, told her supporters following Saturday’s nomination that she is looking forward to representing the north if she defeats current Progressive Conservative MLA Kelly Bindle in the upcoming provincial election.
“Tonight we celebrate,” she said. “Tomorrow the hard work continues to bring strong representation back to Thompson and each and every community in the Thompson constituency.”
The Thompson constituency includes Churchill, Fox Lake, War Lake, Gillam, Bird, Ilford, Thicket Portage, Pikwitonei, Nelson House, Split Lake and Wabowden.
Adams took some time during her speech to thank former NDP MLA Steve Ashton, who represented this provincial riding for 35 years until he lost to Bindle in 2016.
“When he was our MLA we had a strong NDP MLA that kept in touch and delivered for the north,” she said. “My goal is to continue that tradition providing a strong voice and clear choice.”
Adams alluded to the Manitoba NDP party not letting Steve Ashton seek the nomination again for the next election.
“I always have supported Steve and I always will,” she said. “And yes I do believe he should have been able to run. I can’t thank him enough for his support and encouragement at this difficult time for him and his family.”
Moving forward, Adams will be going head-to-head with Bindle and other candidates in an upcoming provincial election. Whether or not that takes place in 2020 or some time this year is yet to be determined.
