Michael Ford says he will enter the race to replace his late uncle as city councillor for Ward 2.
Ford, who had served as a Toronto District School Board trustee, made the announcement minutes after city council voted unanimously in favour of holding a byelection in the ward instead of appointing someone to the post.
The byelection will be held on July 25 and interested parties will have until June 10 to register as candidates.
So far, Ford is the only person to announce his intention to run.
In a statement, Ford said he wants to build on his family's "legacy of public service."
“My message to the residents of Ward 2 is simple: together, we can accomplish great things for our community,” Ford said. “I will work around the clock to bring jobs and economic development to our area. I will be a strong voice for taxpayers and fight to make our city more affordable. I will support investments in public transit and push for sustainable programs that help our communities thrive.”
Ford initially ran for election in Ward 2 in the last municipal election but he pulled out of the race when Rob Ford was diagnosed with cancer and decided that he would have to abandon his mayoral campaign and seek election in Ward 2 instead.
The younger Ford was then ran and was elected as a Toronto District School Board trustee, a job that he resigned from on Wednesday in order to run in Ward 2.
In a statement released late Wednesday afternoon, TDSB Chair Robin Pilkey thanked Ford for his service and credited him for bringing a "fresh, youthful perspective" to the board.
Meanwhile, in his statement Ford said that his experience at the TDSB will be helpful as he seeks to represent Ward 2 residents at city hall.
“As the representative of a broad and diverse constituency, my main focus has been on customer service and being accessible to residents. It's a responsibility that I have taken seriously, and I am very proud of my track record on the board,” Ford said.
Though Ford has not yet filed his paperwork to run in Ward 2, a website promoting his campaign is already online.
The website, electmichaelford.com, lists customer service, keeping taxes low and sustainable community investments as the three major hallmarks of his platform.
“Michael believes in saving taxpayers money, he believes in subways, (he) believes in customer service,” former councillor Doug Ford said of his nephew Wednesday.
“Michael’s a little softer than Rob and I, but he still stands for platform.”
Ford, 21, is the son of Rob and Doug's sister Kathy.
