Brad Bradford Announces Early Candidacy for Toronto Mayor Election

Brad Bradford, the sitting councillor for Beaches-East York, has officially declared his candidacy for the position of mayor in Toronto’s upcoming municipal election. This announcement comes more than a year ahead of the scheduled election in October 2026.

Bradford’s Mayoral Aspirations

Bradford is the first prominent figure to express his intention to contest the mayoral race. This marks his second attempt to secure the mayoral seat after finishing eighth in the June 2023 byelection, which was ultimately won by Olivia Chow. Chow has yet to announce her plans for re-election. She currently emphasizes her focus on the city’s governance rather than election campaigning.

Current Mayor’s Position

“Fixing Toronto, building more housing, and ensuring public safety are my current priorities,” Chow stated recently. This approach aims to reinforce her commitment to the city’s challenges while leaving the campaign speculation for a later time.

Polling Insights

Recent polling data from Forum Research indicates that, in a long ballot scenario, Chow remains a preferred choice among voters. However, the poll reveals that she could face challenges in a direct contest against either former mayor John Tory or Brad Bradford. In a tight race against Bradford, preliminary results show Bradford leading by two percentage points, placing them within the margin of error—a testament to a competitive electoral landscape.

• Bradford beats Chow by two points in hypothetical head-to-head matchup.
• A Liaison Strategies poll in July suggests Bradford as one of Chow’s closest competitors if Tory does not run.
• In a Tory-Chow scenario, it could result in a two-candidate race with minimal support for other candidates.

Tory’s Considerations

John Tory, who resigned in February 2023 due to a personal scandal, has hinted that he might consider a return to politics but is not in haste to make a decision. “I do encounter many people encouraging me to re-enter the political arena, but my current focus is on contributing to the city in other capacities,” Tory mentioned.

The early dynamics of the Toronto mayoral race suggest a potential replication of voting patterns seen in past elections, indicating that the competition may intensify as the election date approaches.

As the political landscape evolves, all eyes will remain on the potential candidates and their strategies leading up to the October 2026 municipal election.