The New Democratic Party of Manitoba (NDP) fielded a full slate of 57 candidates in the 1969 provincial election, and won 28 seats to emerge as the largest party in the provincial legislature. After a brief period of political uncertainty, the party was able to form a minority government.

Many of the party's candidates have their own biography pages; information about others may be found here. This page also includes information about New Democratic Party candidates in by-elections between 1969 and 1971.

Candidates Birtle-Russell: Donald Kostesky Donald Kostesky was 22 years old in 1969, and was a farmer in Rossburn. He joined the New Democratic Party in 1964, and first ran for the party in a February 1969 by-election."13 candidates seek seats", Winnipeg Free Press, 15 February 1969, p. 12. This article indicates that Kostesky was a high school graduate. He finished a close second in the general election, despite the fact that his party did not have strong historical roots in the Birtle-Russell division. His brother, Ronald Kostesky, was a New Democratic Party candidate in the 1966 provincial election.

Kostesky was listed as the CEO and general-manager of Farmers Co-op Seed Plant Ltd. in 1994.Ritchie Gage, "Seeds of profit: The business of pedigree grain seeds", Manitoba Business, 1 November 1994, p. 8. He is now retired from farming,Unreserved Retirement Farm Auction for Don Kostesky, OK Auctions, 2006, accessed 1 October 2009. but remains CEO of the seed co-operative, which has been renamed Red Sper Enterprises Ltd.Red Sper Enterprises Ltd., Companylisting.ca, accessed 1 October 2009.

+ Electoral record Election Division Party Votes % Place Winner provincial by-election, 20 February 1969 Birtle-Russell New Democratic Party 1,034 22.69 2/3 Harry Graham, Progressive Conservative 1969 provincial Birtle-Russell New Democratic Party 2,263 37.74 2/3 Harry Graham, Progressive Conservative

Morris: William Loftus William Thomas Loftus (June 21, 1916 – August 6, 2008) was raised and educated in the Norwood area of Winnipeg, and attended the University of Manitoba. He was a farmer in La Salle at the time of the election. He was also an Air Canada captain of long standing, having joined the service in 1944. In religion, he was a member of the United Church of Canada."NDP candidate", Winnipeg Free Press, 16 January 1969, p. 52; "13 Candidates seek seats", Winnipeg Free Press, 15 February 1969, p. 12.

Loftus ran as a New Democratic Party candidate in three provincial elections, in an area where the party did not have a strong organizational base.Loftus won the NDP nomination without opposition for the 1969 by-election. See Winnipeg Free Press, 16 January 1969, p. 52. He later worked for the government, after the NDP won election under Edward Schreyer's leadership.Bill Loftus, obituary notice, Winnipeg Free Press, 9 August 2008, accessed 19 October 2009.

+ Electoral record Election Division Party Votes % Place Winner 1966 provincial Morris New Democratic Party 370 11.65 3/3 Harry Shewman, Progressive Conservative provincial by-election, 20 February 1969 Morris New Democratic Party 276 8.46 3/3 Warner Jorgenson, Progressive Conservative 1969 provincial Morris New Democratic Party 712 15.48 3/4 Warner Jorgenson, Progressive Conservative

References