A woman from Steinbach has been named the new interim leader for the Manitoba Liberal Party. Judy Klassen, who lives in Steinbach, but is MLA for Kewatinook was given the nod Friday.

"I am super honoured and so humbled by getting voted in," says Klassen.

She says her goal now is to build up the party and membership and to make sure that the Liberal voice is heard in this province.

"I represent a lot of people and that's what I want, a lot of people to be at the table," she says.

Klassen says it has been quite a year for her, as she came to southern Manitoba for schooling, was then asked to run as a Liberal candidate, won the election and today is leader of the party.

"My goal was always to help people," says Klassen. "When I was asked to run as the Liberal I thought what a better venue, what a better way to bring more knowledge up there and to make sure that there was a voice for my people up north."

Klassen says she could not have done this without the help of former Liberal leader, Dr. Jon Gerrard.

Klassen acknowledges this will only make life busier. But she says as a mother of six, she is used to that. And Klassen says as leader, she wants to encourage more women to enter politics.

With only three Liberal MLAs in Manitoba, Klassen says it will take hard work and dedication to better that number in the next provincial election.

"We're going to definitely put a plan of action together and I'm so excited to start that process," she says.