Toronto city councillor Georgio Mammoliti gives a thumbs up as council votes on Thursday.Tim Fraser
It's time to forget about past animosities and get behind mayoral frontrunner Rob Ford, Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti said in officially endorsing his formal rival Wednesday.
"We need to kind of forget about the past and move forward," Mr. Mammoliti said outside his campaign office on Islington near Finch.
"The city of Toronto is very big - it's bigger than our personalities, it's bigger than our feelings and people want to see leadership in this city."
Mr. Mammoliti, a former mayoral candidate who dropped out of the race in July, said he hasn't asked for or been offered any posts in a potential Ford administration. However, he said he would like to play a senior role.
The veteran North York councillor and his Etobicoke colleague have a history of disagreements that stretches back to at least 2002, when Mr. Ford allegedly called the Italian-Canadian Mr. Mammoliti a "Gino Boy," on the floor of council.
Mr. Mammoliti said he was willing to dismiss their fights because the Mr. Ford, who has a 24-point lead among decided voters according to the latest poll, is the only candidate who has "clearly tapped into the mood of the people."
"There's only one [mayoral candidate]that I believe can come to the table and make that meaningful change that everybody is suggesting. Today I'll be supporting Rob Ford for the next mayor of the city of Toronto."
Kelly Grant