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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