Theresa Oswald is shown on June 12, 2009.TREVOR HAGAN/The Canadian Press
Former Manitoba health minister Theresa Oswald has entered the race for the NDP leadership and the premier's chair.
Oswald filed her nomination papers this morning, saying she represents a chance to revive the government's popularity before the next election in 2016.
She also says she's open to cutting the provincial sales tax, which the government raised last year from 7 to 8 per cent.
The former cabinet minister says the government has always promised to bring the tax back down by 2023, while Opposition Leader Brian Pallister has promised to cut it within his first mandate, if elected.
Oswald says she is "very open" to cutting the tax earlier.
The MLA is one of five senior cabinet ministers who resigned last month after challenging Premier Greg Selinger's leadership.
Oswald says she has no personal animosity toward Selinger, but feels the party must make a change to remain in power and continue its agenda.
Selinger has vowed to fight the challenge, and the NDP has scheduled a leadership contest for March 8.