Mayor Rob Ford has repeatedly spoken out about the need for fresh blood at city hall but with the election a little more than six months away it seems most councillors plan to run again, with Ford’s most vocal opponents all in the fold.

A total of 26 out of the 44 incumbent councillors have already filed their paperwork to run for re-election in October.

Meanwhile, a survey by CP24.com has determined that an additional eight councillors intend to run while one is leaning towards running and another six are undecided or refused to answer.

Three councillors will not run for re-election including Ward 2 Coun. Doug Ford, Ward 39 Coun. Mike Del Grande and Ward 18 Coun. Karen Stintz who is running for mayor.

The list of candidates who have already registered or intend to run is dominated by most of Ford’s biggest critics including all 10 Ford said he wanted defeated during a controversial segment on his internet show in February.

“Let me tell you who we have to defeat because all they do is tax and spend. We need candidates to run against Gord Perks in High Park, Janet Davis in East York, Adam Vaughan in downtown, Joe Mihevc in midtown, Sara Doucette in High Park, Shelley Carroll in Don Valley, Glenn De Baeremaeker in Scarborough, Mike Layton downtown, Kristyn Wong-Tam downtown and Paul Ainslie in Scarborough,” Ford said at the time. “These people have gone out of their way to ruin Toronto, increase taxes and strip me of my powers. They wanted a war they are going to get a war.”

Incumbents usually enjoy a significant advantage in municipal politics and with the majority of current councillors planning to run again, city council could look awfully similar come November.

There may be some exceptions, though.

Right-leaning councillors Giorgio Mammoliti and Peter Milczyn both failed to return repeated calls inquiring about their intentions and it remains to be seen whether either will enter the race.

Centrist Ron Moeser’s intentions are also unknown with the long-time councillor for Ward 44 who has battled health problems in recent years telling CP24.com that he plans to announce his decision sometime later this spring.

Ward 6 Coun. Mark Grimes, meanwhile, said that he is leaning towards running again but has not made up his mind.

Ditto for Ward 3 Coun. Peter Leon, who told CP24.com that he would listen to his constituents before making a decision either way.

If Leon does run it will be an about face after the retired businessman and political neophyte told reporters that he would not run for re-election after being appointed to fill a vacancy left on council when former deputy mayor Doug Holyday was elected as an MPP in the fall.

“Right now, there is just so much to do. I am as busy there (in the ward) as I am here (at city hall) and I haven’t had a chance to decide,” Leon told CP24.com. “Down the road a little bit once I hear more from community I will make a decision. How well I am being accepted is kind of the key.

Councillors still have time to file paperwork

Though many councillors opted to register for re-election at the first available opportunity in early January, others say they are in no hurry to file their paperwork and start campaigning.

Right-leaning Coun. Anthony Peruzza (Ward 8) confirmed through his office that he will run, but he said he likely won’t file his papers until mid-summer.

Ward 42 Coun. Raymond Cho, who has been selected as the Progressive Conservative party candidate for Scarborough-Rouge River, also told CP24.com that he would run, though a provincial election could potentially derail his candidacy.

Meanwhile, Ward 4 Coun. Gloria Lindsay Luby has signalled her intention to run, though she told CP24.com that she is currently “too busy being a councillor to be a candidate.”

Candidates have until Sept. 11 to enter the race.

Have registered

Ward 1 - Vincent Crisanti

Ward 9 - Maria Augimeri

Ward 10 - James Pasternak

Ward 11 - Frances Nunziata

Ward 12 - Frank Di Giorgio

Ward 13 - Sarah Doucette

Ward 14 - Gord Perks

Ward 15 - Josh Colle

Ward 17 - Cesar Palacio

Ward 18 - Ana Bailao

Ward 21 - Joe Mihevc

Ward 22 - Josh Matlow

Ward 23 - John Filion

Ward 25 - Jaye Robinson

Ward 27 - Kristyn Wong-Tam

Ward 28 - Pam McConnell

Ward 29 - Mary Fragedakis

Ward 31 - Janet Davis

Ward 32 - Mary-Margaret McMahon

Ward 33 - Shelley Carroll

Ward 35 - Michelle Berardinetti

Ward 36 - Gary Crawford

Ward 37 - Michael Thompson

Ward 40 - Norm Kelly

Ward 41 - Chin Lee

Ward 43 - Paul Ainslie

Have announced intention to run

Ward 4 - Gloria Lindsay Luby

Ward 8 - Anthony Perruzza

Ward 19 - Mike Layton

Ward 20 - Adam Vaughan

Ward 26 – John Parker

Ward 30 - Paula Fletcher

Ward 34 - Denzil Minnan-Wong

Ward 38 - Glenn De Baeremaeker

Ward 42 – Raymond Cho

Leaning towards running

Ward 6 - Mark Grimes

Refused to answer or failed to return calls

Ward 5 - Peter Milczyn

Ward 7 - Giorgio Mammoliti

Ward 24 - David Shiner

Ward 30 - Paula Fletcher

Not running

Ward 2 - Doug Ford

Ward 16 - Karen Stintz

Ward 39 - Mike Del Grande

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