The head of a provincial association of insurance brokers is giving serious consideration to running for a recently vacated Tory seat.
David Schioler, the CEO of the Insurance Brokers of Manitoba, told the Winnipeg Sun he is intrigued by the opportunity that exists in the riding that was vacated when long-time Conservative MP Rod Bruinooge, who stepped down this month.
“A big part of my job now is lobbying and being involved in politics, so it's a natural for me,” Schioler told the newspaper. “I've always kept my eye on the ball on what would be a good time to do it, whether it be federally or provincially."
Schioler admits that the perception the riding is a winnable one for the Conservatives is what is drawing him into the race.
Not a novice to politics, Schioler ran unsuccessfully in St. James in the 1993 federal election.
Schioler said his fiscal principles line up with Bruinooge, but acknowledged socially he is not as far right as Bruinooge, who was a pro-life advocate and, in 2006, and voted in favour of a Conservative motion to “restore the traditional definition of marriage.”
But when it comes to the budget, Schioler says he and Bruinooge are on the same page.
“I think there's fiscal responsibility in conservatism where we're quite similar,” Schioler told the Sun. “Rod's known as very much a conservative guy in his social outlooks on things. I'm probably not as right-wing as Rod that way, but more moderate than he is. But certainly on the fiscal side I think we're similar.”
