Michael Ford to run for late uncle’s seat
Council calls July byelection to replace Rob Ford
Rob Ford’s former constituents will decide who should replace him on council.
Michael Ford, the nephew of the late councillor and former mayor, is the first to declare his intention to run for Ward 2 Etobicoke North.
His statement, announcing that he is resigning as a Toronto District School Board trustee, came minutes after city council voted unanimously Wednesday afternoon to hold a byelection to replace Rob Ford, who died in March.
Mayor John Tory moved to hold the byelection on July 25, the date recommended by city staff, saying it was the “right choice” with more than two years until the next general election. Council procedures would have also allowed members to appoint a replacement until the next election.
The former mayor was forced to abandon a mayoral re-election run in 2014 when he was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer. Instead, he easily won his old Ward 2 seat, where the family has long amassed adoring support.
The Ford family previously confirmed that either Michael or Doug Ford, who held the Ward 2 seat during his brother’s administration, would run to replace Ford. Doug Ford stirred speculation when he and his nephew arrived together in the council chamber Tuesday in the midst of a contentious debate over taxi reforms.
No other candidates have declared plans to run.
At 22, Michael Ford would be the youngest person in recent history to be elected to council.
Before being voted onto the school board, he ran for the Ward 2 seat during the 2014 election.
But with his uncle’s illness, he was shuffled out of that candidacy, allowing Rob Ford to run and win the ward chair and Doug Ford to run unsuccessfully for mayor against Tory.
Born Michael Douglas Stirpe, he officially changed his name to Ford in February 2014 ahead of the election.
Those who have observed his short political life say he is not a copy of his uncles’ bombastic political style, instead known to be thoughtful and soft-spoken.
He has been a camp counsellor and helped with his uncles’ political campaigns before attending Humber College.
In a platform posted to an online campaign site that was registered in April but only went live Wednesday, Ford described his desire to continue the “benchmark set by my family.”
“If you ask me for help, I will do everything I can to help you. I will call you back, I will return your messages, and I will come straight to your door to make sure you get the excellent level of service you deserve.”