Former district school board trustee Rachel Chernos Lin has won the Ward 15 – Don Valley West by-election, defying poll predictions.
Chernos Lin beat former Toronto Sun columnist and mayoral candidate Anthony Furey by over 5,000 votes, according to unofficial city results.
Both were leading candidates for the ward to replace late city councillor Jaye Robinson, who served for four years before dying from cancer in May.
Chernos Lin received over 54 per cent of the vote, contrary to poll predictions which put Furey firmly in the lead.
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Following the results, Chernos Lin thanked the electorate for their vote.
“To the residents of Ward 15 – Don Valley West: thank you for placing your trust in me,” Chernos Lin wrote on X on Monday night.
“I can’t wait to get to work for you as your new City Councillor,” she concluded.
Furey conceded on Tuesday morning, wishing Chernos Lin well before claiming the election featured an “aggressive voter suppression campaign.”
What a great experience I had running for city council!! Thank you to all of my supporters and to the residents of Don Valley West!
— Anthony Furey (@anthonyfurey) November 5, 2024
I wish the next councillor well as she fulfills her duties. It’s unfortunate that this election featured so much negativity and an aggressive voter… pic.twitter.com/14CuFwLqOF
“It’s the sort of stuff that can deter good people from running for office. But I’m proud we ran a positive campaign and I will never shy away from standing up for what matters!” he wrote on X on Monday.
According to unofficial by-election results, total voter turnout was 23,555 with Chernos Lin securing 12,899 votes, while Furey managed 7,343 and son of Jaye Robinson, Sam Robinson, receiving 1,271.
