Three unions will back Wab Kinew's bid to become the next leader of the Manitoba NDP, adding to a string of previous endorsements.

Kinew, who's been endorsed by everyone from former MP Judy Wasylycia-Leis and former NDP minister Nancy Allan to current MLAs Nahanni Fontaine and Andrew Swan, remains the NDP's only present leadership candidate.

The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1505, the Canadian Union of Public Employees Manitoba and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 2085 added their endorsements Thursday.

"He's a good human being and ... a good leader, too," said Terry Egan, CUPE Manitoba's president.

The unions noted opposition to Progressive Conservative Premier Brian Pallister, who has battled with labour leaders over his public-sector wage freeze, also motivates their support for Kinew.

Egan said he isn't concerned about the chance Kinew will run an uncontested race, crediting that to the candidate's broad appeal.

"I think it's showing unity that people believe in the guy and we're going to get behind this man," said Egan.

Christopher Adams, a Manitoba political scientist and author, said the lack of additional NDP candidates so far could be both a blessing and a curse for the party.

"There's an energy in a (leadership) convention, when it's hotly contested, so that's the down side," said Adams, noting that excitement can trigger a bump in a party's overall support. "The positive side of having a single person running ... is the party is united behind that person, so you don't have the aftermath of a divided party."

Wab Kinew called the labour support "meaningful" and noted he hopes it will help rejuvenate his party, which fell from government in April 2016.

"It is definitely a big task to rebuild the NDP in Manitoban but I'm really inspired by the support that I've seen from people so far," said Kinew.

Meanwhile, the Manitoba Liberals have three leadership candidates so far and there's speculation a fourth may be on the way.

Two Liberal MLAs, Judy Klassen (Kewatinook) and Cindy Lamoureux (Burrows) have announced leadership bids, as has 2013 leadership contest runner up Dougald Lamont. Liberal River Heights MLA Jon Gerrard has urged supporters to join him at the Manitoba Legislature for an announcement of his "future plans" on Friday.

Gerrard, an MLA since 1999, previously completed 15 years as leader, a stretch that ended in fall 2013.

"It would be very unusual to see a past leader come back and run for the position," said Adams, who noted Gerrard could opt to support another candidate instead. "It would be kind of weird to have all three Liberal caucus members running for the leadership."

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