The Pollcast: Manitoba's NDP leadership race comes to an acrimonious close

The CBCPollcast, hosted by CBC poll analyst ric Grenier, explores the world of electoralpolitics,political polls and the trends they reveal.

New Democrats in Manitoba will be voting in two leadership races this month. The first one, choosing a new leader for the provincial party, comes to a close on Saturday.

And that vote, pitting current MLAWab Kinew against former MLA Steve Ashton, could have repercussions that will be felt in the federal NDP's leadership race.

• Leadership win might not end questions onWab Kinew's past
• Podcasts: Subscribe to the CBCPollcast

Kinew, aformer musician, CBC broadcaster and university administrator, as well as a powerful voice within the Indigenous community, was first elected as an MLA in 2016, when the New Democrats were handed a defeat that ended 17 years in office.

Kinew is the front-runner to become the Manitoba NDP's next leader, having elected the most delegates for the leadership convention this weekend.

Ashton, who has run for the Manitoba NDP leadership twice before and was a cabinet minister in the governments of both Gary Doer and Greg Selinger, represents the left wing of the party. He's also the father of Niki Ashton, one of four candidates for the leadership of the federal NDP.

Steve Ashton's campaign has ruffled a few feathers within the NDP and that has had an impact on Niki Ashton's chances in the province, where more than 10,000 members will be eligible to vote in the federal race. She has fewer backers from current and former elected officials in the province than leadership rivals Charlie Angus and Guy Caron.

Kinew, meanwhile, has backed (and has the backing of)Ontario MPP Jagmeet Singh for the federal leadership.

A successful outcome for Kinewcould bode well for Singh's odds of taking a big share of the membership's vote in Manitoba.

To discuss how the Manitoba NDP's leadership campaign has unfolded as well as the campaign for the Manitoba Liberals' top job Pollcast host ric Grenieris joined by Winnipeg-based CBC reporter Cameron MacIntosh.

Listen to the full discussion above or subscribe to the CBCPollcast and listen to past episodes.

Follow ric Grenierand Cameron MacIntoshon Twitter.