Brad Bradford Announces Candidacy for Toronto Mayor

**Brad Bradford Announces Candidacy for Toronto Mayor** Brad Bradford, a city councillor representing Beaches-East York, has officially declared his intention to run for mayor of Toronto in the upcoming municipal election scheduled for October 2026. In a recent interview, Bradford expressed his excitement about the campaign, stating, "In October of 2026 my name will be on the ballot to be the next mayor of the city of Toronto. I’m really excited about it." Bradford aims to bring generational change to city hall. He believes that Toronto is not currently living up to its potential and that there is a strong desire among residents for improvement. He emphasized the need to enhance basic services, including recreation programs and parks, which he claims have suffered from neglect. "I don’t think the city’s moving in the right direction. I don’t think we’re living up to our potential. And I think there’s a real desire for Toronto to be better," he said. Having served as a city planner, Bradford was first elected to council in 2018. He previously ran for mayor in a by-election in 2023, finishing eighth with less than two percent of the vote. Since then, he has positioned himself as a vocal critic of current Mayor Olivia Chow, frequently challenging her policies, particularly regarding property tax increases and the management of city services. Bradford has been actively engaging with Liberal and Conservative insiders, seeking to establish himself as a leading candidate for the center-right in the upcoming election. His efforts have included campaign-style announcements and discussions with potential supporters. He aims to consolidate support among those who may oppose Chow, who is a progressive candidate. Recent polling indicates that Chow's support is vulnerable, with only 33% of voters backing her. In contrast, an unnamed generic candidate could potentially garner 31% of the vote against her, while former mayor John Tory, who has not yet announced his intentions to run, would receive 25% support. Chow won her last election with just 37% of the vote, benefiting from a split among her opponents. As Bradford prepares for the election, he acknowledges the challenges ahead. He aims to leverage his experience as a city planner and a parent to connect with voters. "As somebody who is raising two young kids with a mortgage and childcare bills, I understand the challenges that families are facing in Toronto," he said. In response to Bradford's announcement, a spokesperson for Mayor Chow did not confirm her plans for re-election but stated that she is focused on addressing key issues such as increasing rental housing, improving transit, and tackling crime. With the election still over a year away, Bradford is positioning himself as a candidate for change, hoping to resonate with voters who seek a different direction for Toronto's future.