Kevin Klein says he’s taking another shot at Winnipeg City Hall’s top job. “I believe I have a vision for Winnipeg that people will share,” said Klein, who says he is planning on registering as a mayoral candidate. Klein served as city councillor for the Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood ward from 2018 to 2022 and was a Progressive Conservative MLA for Kirkfield Park after winning a 2022 byelection. He was not re-elected in the 2023 provincial election. He also previously ran for mayor during the 2022 election, finishing third with 14.78 per cent of the vote. “I just don’t think what has happened during his time as mayor was good for the city, I don’t think there was enough done,” he said. Klein points to Gillingham raising property taxes higher than promised in 2025, city water bills, and the new transit system, which has had problems. “I was the only city councillor that voted against the transit plan,” said Klein. Klein did not go into specifics about his platform Tuesday, but said he will be making his views on things like property taxes and transit known shortly. Klein would be the 12th candidate to run for mayor, but he might have more name recognition than the other hopefuls trying to unseat Gillingham. “I would say that he’s a high-profile candidate that will probably give Scott Gillingham a run for his money, said Christopher Adams, an adjunct professor of political science at the University of Manitoba. Scott Gillingham seems to be well aware of that, as the incumbent is already throwing verbal barbs at Klein. “His record politically is fair game and we’re going at it, it’s going to be a race, bring on the race,” said Gillingham. Gillingham is reminding voters Klein briefly worked for disgraced fashion mogul Peter Nygard, calling Klein Nygard’s Caribbean political fixer. He also accuses Klein of being pro-Donald Trump because of things he has written in the Winnipeg Sun, which he owns. “He’s been writing about his affection for or alliance with, if I can use it that way or support, of Donald Trump and Pete Hoekstra. Are you kidding me?” said Gillingham. Klein says that’s all untrue, in turn accusing Gillingham of sounding and acting like Trump. “I’m really disappointed in Scott, I thought the mudslinging days in politics were over, but obviously he wants to have a smear campaign,” said Klein. Klein worked briefly with the disgraced fashion icon, who was later convicted on several counts of sexual assault. In a 2022 debate, Klein said he left his position with Nygard after four months, calling him a “terrible person,” and said he didn’t witness anything illegal. Other candidates who have registered to run for mayor are Chris Clacio, Mike Vogiatzakis, Umar Hayat, Mazher Alam, Don Woodstock, Joshua Pagdato, Johnny Calderón, Noah Redden, Zachary Uminski and Brad Gross. The 2026 general election takes place on Oct. 28.
