Rob Ford’s nephew Michael to run for late uncle’s council seat

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Just minutes after City Council unanimously voted Wednesday to call a by-election for July 25 in order to fill the seat in Etobicoke's Ward 2 left empty by the death of former mayor Rob Ford, his nephew, Michael Ford, a school trustee, threw his hat in the ring.

In a press release on Wednesday, Michael Ford said that "after careful consideration" he had resigned his school trustee position and was running for council to replace his uncle, who died of cancer March 22.

"I am very grateful to call Etobicoke my home. I was born in Ward 2, I grew up here and I hope to serve the hard working residents of North Etobicoke for many years to come," Michael Ford said.

The move ends speculation that Rob Ford's brother Doug – who held the ward while Rob was mayor and then carried Rob's banner in the 2014 mayoral election after his cancer diagnosis – was interested in a return to city hall. Some had speculated that Doug Ford would use the seat as a perch to prepare for a run against Mayor John Tory in 2018. But Doug now says he remains interested in moving to provincial politics and seeking a seat as a Progressive Conservative.

Michael Ford's statement points to his brief experience on the Toronto District School Board as vice-chairman of finance, saying that he "was directly responsible for approving the allocation of a $3.2-billion budget" and that his "focus was on ensuring taxpayer dollars were spent wisely and efficiently, in a way that brought the most value for our students."

He says he intends to carry on with his family's tradition of public service, which dates back to Rob and Doug's father, Doug Ford Sr. who was a backbench Tory MPP.

"Three generations of the Ford family have served our community," his statement reads. "I want to build on this legacy of public service, and that means showing up at your door when you need assistance. My message to the residents of Ward 2 is simple: together, we can accomplish great things for our community."

He also said he wanted to thank "the countless Ward 2 residents who have stood by my family and supported us through thick and thin."

Michael Ford ran for the seat in 2014, but stepped aside for Rob when he dropped out of the mayoral race, and instead Michael ran for school trustee. Doug Ford had actually shown up at city hall this week, supporting cab drivers in their battle against Uber, decides against a return to city hall, fuelling speculation that he might entertain a return to city hall.

All candidates hoping to replace Rob Ford on council will have to throw their hats in the ring by June 10, which will be the nomination day for the race.

Under council rules, city politicians had the option of voting to simply appoint a stand-in councillor, but given the length of time remaining before the next election in 2018, few doubted that a vote would be held. They supported a motion from Mayor John Tory to call a by-election 40-0.

Addressing council, Mr. Tory said there was no question that the residents of Ward 2 (Etobicoke North) should vote on their representative, rather than allowing council to appoint someone, since the next election is so far off.

"It is to me more of an open-shut-case that the voters should get to make this decision as opposed to us," Mr. Tory said.

Doug Ford had actually shown up at city hall this week supporting cab drivers in their battle against Uber, fuelling speculation that he might entertain a return to city hall.

In an interview Wednesday, he said he was still interested in running provincially. He said he would not rule our running for the open seat in Scarborough-Rouge River, vacated by the resignation of Liberal MPP (and former Toronto city councillor) Bas Balkissoon, but that he was more interested in representing Etobicoke.

For now, he said, he is busy supporting his brother's family as they continue to cope with his death. But he also said he will be serving as campaign chairman for Michael's council campaign, and will be knocking on doors for him.

"We take nothing for granted. We're going to work 24-7 and do everything we can to make sure Michael has an opportunity to be a voice for people in Ward 2," Doug said.