Mayor Rob Ford prepares to participate in a Toronto mayoral debate in Toronto on Tuesday, July 15, 2014. Ford says after returning from rehab that a lot of people want to see him fail, but he's now "sober as a judge." THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren CalabreseThe Canadian Press
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford's nephew is keen to keep politics in the family: Michael Ford has registered to run for a seat on City Council.
The son of Mayor Ford's sister Kathy Ford, Michael has registered to run in Ward 2, Etobicoke North, the area where the mayor was first elected as a councillor. The seat is currently held by the mayor's brother, Councillor Doug Ford, who announced earlier this year he would not seek re-election. CP24 has confirmed the Michael Ford listed on the city's election registry is the mayor's nephew.
Calls to Michael Ford were not immediately returned.
Speaking about the possibility of his nephew running last week, Councillor Ford said he would make a great candidate.
"He's grown up in politics," Mr. Ford told The Globe and Mail, noting Michael had recently obtained his pilot's license.
"I trust his judgment more than I trust probably 90 per cent of the councillors down here."
Although Mr. Ford will come with name recognition and support from his family, he faces competition for the ward's council seat.
Among the 10 other candidates are community developer Luke LaRocque, who has a Master's degree with a focus on urban development, and Andray Domise, who works in insurance.
In an interview with the Globe, Mr. Domise welcomed Mr. Ford to the race, but added that the council seat shouldn't be a birthright. "The idea that there's someone to keep the seat warm for the family or establish a political dynasty in my neighbourhood is not something to take sitting down."
Mr. Domise added that while he doesn't know much about Mr. Ford's personal politics, his uncles have shown that the community could use a different kind of political leadership.
"Rather than the damaging and toxic politics … we need to build on the good things that are here," he said.
With a report from David Hains