What to know
- Olivia Chow is running for re-election as Toronto mayor in the October 26 municipal election.
- The announcement ends months of speculation over whether Chow would seek a second term after winning the 2023 byelection following John Tory’s resignation.
- Coun. Brad Bradford has already launched a campaign against Chow and is expected to be one of her main challengers.
- Chow’s first term has focused heavily on affordability, transit, city services and Toronto’s finances, though she has also faced criticism over policing, housing and other contentious city issues.
- Recent polling suggests Chow currently enters the race as the frontrunner.
- Now Toronto is awaiting a confirmation from chow’s team on this development.
Olivia Chow will run for re-election as Toronto mayor this fall after months of speculation around her political future.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow will run for re-election this fall, she told reporters Monday morning. Chow’s decision sets up what’s expected to be a heated municipal race against city councillor Brad Bradford.
Chow’s decision to rerun for the city’s top job ends months of speculation around whether the mayor would seek a second term. Chow was elected to power after winning the 2023 byelection following John Tory’s resignation.
When speaking about why she’s seeking re-election, Chow says there are things that she started that she wants to finish such as lowering development charges so more housing can be built.
However, she told reporters that her campaign won’t begin until the fall.
“My focus right now is delivering the services that the people of Toronto asked me to do… there’s plenty of time in the fall, the election is six months away,” she said.
Since taking office, Chow has positioned herself as mayor focused on affordability, public safety and rebuilding city services after years of what she called “austerity” at city hall.
Chow’s administration has highlighted moves like freezing TTC fares for a third straight year, expanding CaféTO, increasing recreation access for locals and securing a financial “new deal” with the province that shifted responsibility for the Gardiner Expressway to Ontario.
However, the Toronto mayor’s first term hasn’t been without criticism. Chow has faced backlash over repeated police budget increases, housing debates at city hall and her handling of contentious issues including the Israel-Gaza conflict and the renaming of Sankofa Square.
Polls show Chow in the lead
Chow’s announcement comes as recent polling indicates she is leading the race. A poll by Liaison Strategies, released on May 14, found that among decided voters, Chow would receive 50 per cent of the vote if the election were held today.
Her closest competitor, Bradford, trails at 30 per cent among decided voters.
When all voters are included, the survey shows Chow with 38 per cent support, compared with 28 per cent for Bradford.
