Rob Ford's nephew Michael Ford wins Ward 2 council seat
By Shawn Jeffords, Political Bureau Chief
First posted: Monday, July 25, 2016 08:55 PM EDT | Updated: Monday, July 25, 2016 09:44 PM EDT
Rob Ford’s legacy will carry on at City Hall, says the late mayor’s nephew, who was elected to fill his vacant council seat Monday night. And any doubts about the strength of the Ford family name in Etobicoke North (Ward 2) after the death of the former mayor in March may have been put to rest as Michael Ford easily won the byelection. The 22-year-old was greeted by applause and cheers as he arrived at his Rexdale campaign office. He vowed to pick up were his “Uncle Rob” left off when he died in March after a battle with a rare and aggressive form of cancer. “Tonight, more than ever, we miss him,” Michael Ford said. “Over the last two and a half months I’ve been out in the ward, in every corner of our community. They all gave me the same message: ‘If you’re like your Uncle Rob, if you show up, you have our support.’
“I will carry on his legacy, his hard work, that he has done for our community,” he said.
In the end, Michael Ford took 6,534 votes, or 69% of the vote, to secure the seat. Jeff Canning, who placed second, had 1,918 or 20% of the vote.
Former Ward 2 city councillor and mayoral candidate Doug Ford said he’s proud of the way his nephew worked. He thinks his brother would also be proud, but would have some pointed advice.
“He’d say ‘Don’t be a lefty,” Doug Ford said, joking. “Don’t buckle to the left and don’t worry about it if it’s 43-1 (vote) because a lot of times you’re right and they’re wrong.’”
The Ford family’s hold on Etobicoke North (Ward 2) extends back to 2000, when Rob Ford beat incumbent Elizabeth Brown. After that, Rob Ford was re-elected with large majorities until he ran for mayor, and won, in 2010. Doug Ford ran for the council seat and won it easily, with 12,660 votes. In 2014, Rob Ford was re-elected councillor with 59%.
sjeffords@postmedia.com
Rob Ford's nephew Michael Ford wins Ward 2 council seat | Toronto & GTA | News |
By Shawn Jeffords, Political Bureau Chief
First posted: Monday, July 25, 2016 08:55 PM EDT | Updated: Monday, July 25, 2016 09:44 PM EDT
Rob Ford’s legacy will carry on at City Hall, says the late mayor’s nephew, who was elected to fill his vacant council seat Monday night. And any doubts about the strength of the Ford family name in Etobicoke North (Ward 2) after the death of the former mayor in March may have been put to rest as Michael Ford easily won the byelection. The 22-year-old was greeted by applause and cheers as he arrived at his Rexdale campaign office. He vowed to pick up were his “Uncle Rob” left off when he died in March after a battle with a rare and aggressive form of cancer. “Tonight, more than ever, we miss him,” Michael Ford said. “Over the last two and a half months I’ve been out in the ward, in every corner of our community. They all gave me the same message: ‘If you’re like your Uncle Rob, if you show up, you have our support.’
“I will carry on his legacy, his hard work, that he has done for our community,” he said.
In the end, Michael Ford took 6,534 votes, or 69% of the vote, to secure the seat. Jeff Canning, who placed second, had 1,918 or 20% of the vote.
Former Ward 2 city councillor and mayoral candidate Doug Ford said he’s proud of the way his nephew worked. He thinks his brother would also be proud, but would have some pointed advice.
“He’d say ‘Don’t be a lefty,” Doug Ford said, joking. “Don’t buckle to the left and don’t worry about it if it’s 43-1 (vote) because a lot of times you’re right and they’re wrong.’”
The Ford family’s hold on Etobicoke North (Ward 2) extends back to 2000, when Rob Ford beat incumbent Elizabeth Brown. After that, Rob Ford was re-elected with large majorities until he ran for mayor, and won, in 2010. Doug Ford ran for the council seat and won it easily, with 12,660 votes. In 2014, Rob Ford was re-elected councillor with 59%.
sjeffords@postmedia.com
Rob Ford's nephew Michael Ford wins Ward 2 council seat | Toronto & GTA | News |
