Rob Ford pulls out of re-election bid in Toronto

Associated Press

TORONTO

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford withdrew his re-election bid Friday as he seeks treatment for a tumor in his abdomen, dramatically ending a campaign he had doggedly pursued despite a stint in rehab and calls for him to quit amid drug and alcohol scandals. But he announced his brother would run in his place, saying “we cannot go backwards.”

Analysts say the decision is unlikely to change the outcome of the mayoral election that Ford had been widely expected to lose after a string of revelations involving crack-smoking, public drunkenness and outrageous behavior.

But Toronto won’t see the last of Ford anytime soon. He said he has opted to seek a city council seat representing a district in his home suburb of Etobicoke, where his brash, everyman style and conservative fiscal policies first gained a faithful following that became known as Ford Nation.

“My heart is heavy when I tell you that I’m unable to continue my campaign for re-election as your mayor,” Ford said in a statement. “I have asked Doug to run to become the next mayor of Toronto, because we need him. We cannot go backwards.”

Doug Ford, a city councilor who has been the mayor’s most-fiery defender, submitted his papers to run for mayor Friday, the deadline to sign up. He will face two other major candidates in the Oct. 27 election.

“I stand here with mixed emotions and a very heavy heart. First and foremost, I am concerned about my brother,” said Doug Ford, who was surrounded by family members outside the Ford family home as he officially announced he is entering the race.

Rob Ford’s decision came two days after he was hospitalized and the tumor was discovered. Biopsy results won’t be back for a week, and a definitive diagnosis is pending.