John Tory not running for Toronto mayor in municipal election
71-year-old says decision to not run for his old job was to protect him and his family
Author of the article:Spiro Papuckoski
Published Mar 03, 2026 • Last updated 17 hours ago • 5 minute read
John Tory makes his final speech before departing as the mayor of Toronto. Tory handed in his resignation after it was found out he had a relationship with a city staffer, on Friday, Feb. 17, 2023.
John Tory makes his final speech before departing as the mayor of Toronto. Tory handed in his resignation after it was found out he had a relationship with a city staffer, on Friday, Feb. 17, 2023. Photo by Jack Boland /Toronto Sun
John Tory said he has made the difficult decision to not run for his old job as Toronto mayor in the fall municipal election.
Tory, who was mayor of the city from 2014 until he resigned in February 2023 after admitting to having an affair with a staffer, had considered putting his name in the hat.
Olivia Chow won the mayoral byelection that followed in June 2023.
Decision made in family’s best interest: Tory
The 71-year-old Tory said the decision to not run for his old job was to protect him and his family.
“I will not be running for mayor because I feel I cannot put my family and the people I care about through the inevitable attacks on me and my personal life that we’ve started to see before I’ve even announced my intentions,” Tory said in a statement.
“I’m not asking for you to feel sorry for me. I did hold myself to account by stepping down and I know that politics is a tough business — at times, brutal. What I’m asking for is your understanding.”
Tory added he will not be endorsing any candidates for mayor at this time, but said he wouldn’t “hesitate to do so” in the future.
Chow polling ahead of rivals
A poll last week by Mainstreet Research found Chow leading Tory among decided and leaning voters 43% to 34%. However, a majority of Toronto voters (54%) said they preferred the direction of the city under Tory.
Chow, who is 68 years old, has not yet said if she will run for re-election.
Councillor Brad Bradford, who represents Ward 19 Beaches–East York, has said he will run for the job to lead the city.
The poll found Bradford had 17% support, while Anthony Furey, a former Toronto Sun columnist who also ran for mayor in past elections, had 6% support.
A timeline of John Tory's departure as Toronto mayor.
A timeline of John Tory’s departure as Toronto mayor. He says he will not be running in the next election either. Photo by Yoshio Kuramitsu /Toronto Sun
Bradford respects Tory’s decision
Bradford said he has a lot of respect for Tory’s decision and understands why the former mayor will not run again.
“John Tory has given years of service to this city. I will always be grateful for the support he gave me when I first decided to run,” Bradford said on the social media platform X.
“The personal sacrifice that comes with public office is immense and it is often overlooked. It is a massive challenge for the people closest to you and they have to come first.”
Full statement from John Tory
It was the honour of a lifetime to have served as mayor of this city, the city I love and will always hold dearly in my heart. It is my home and I have always tried to treat every single resident as part of a bigger family.
The office of the mayor is a vitally important institution bigger than any one person. I’ve always believed that its occupant must safeguard the integrity of the office. Together with protecting my family and those close to me, it is why I made the difficult decision to step away several years ago, despite the urgings of many to stay.
I left proud of what I had accomplished as mayor: record investments in transit, housing and services all done while keeping taxes affordable; steering the city through the pandemic; leading a great team and protecting members of our big Toronto family, and improving quality of life for residents regardless of where they lived, regardless of their circumstances.
I want to thank all of those who have been urging me to run again, from business and community leaders, to ordinary Torontonians from all walks of life, many of whom approached me on the street and on the subway. You’ve given me a lot to think about and I want to assure you I have given it serious consideration.
We are at a pivotal moment in the life of our city. The world has turned. Allies have become adversaries. Our economy and way of life are under threat. People are justifiably worried for their jobs and for the future. Affordability remains a challenge for many and others fear for their safety.
Toronto has faced challenges before and we have always risen to the occasion. We can be the economic engine powering the country again. We have to be. Canada’s future prosperity and vitality depend on it.
Of course, it starts with leadership. And to be clear — while the mayor of Toronto doesn’t set trade policy or interest rates — what he or she does do is ensure the city is a place where businesses want to invest and grow and where our most talented people want to stay and can thrive while we attract more exceptional people, innovators and entrepreneurs, from around the world.
To do that we need a safe city where regardless of statistics, people actually feel safe; a city where open-air drug use on our streets and encampments in our parks are not normalized and just accepted; where the transit system is reliable, efficient and safe; and where the city government makes an effort every single year — not just in election years — to keep taxes and fees low, and the business climate competitive. We’ve been that place in the past. We can be that place again.
If I were running this would be my focus. But I will not be running. And not because I lack the energy or the desire. I will not be running for mayor because I feel I cannot put my family and the people I care about through the inevitable attacks on me and my personal life that we’ve started to see before I’ve even announced my intentions. I’m not asking for you to feel sorry for me. I did hold myself to account by stepping down and I know that politics is a tough business — at times, brutal. What I’m asking for is your understanding.
I have no plans to endorse anyone at this moment but I won’t hesitate to do so. I intend to continue my work as a commentator and will closely watch how the field of candidates develops. And I would urge those who feel they can contribute meaningfully to improving the city to put their names forward — whether it be for mayor or for council.
For now, I will continue to serve in the way that I can, through my charitable and volunteer work including with Woodgreen, Scarborough Health Network, TIFF and others. I will always champion Toronto. I will always be this city’s number one fan.
Most importantly, I am and forever will be grateful for the greatest opportunity and honour I have ever had — to have served as your mayor.
![john-tory[1].jpg](https://forums.canadiancontent.net/data/attachments/31/31772-a9f59382a71a91ee17b7d7e191c2023a.jpg "john-tory[1].jpg")
![FpMvGtzX0BkERwh[1].jpg](https://forums.canadiancontent.net/data/attachments/31/31775-01e5db0a11f60b127d42cf81c89a8290.jpg "FpMvGtzX0BkERwh[1].jpg")
mainstreetresearch.ca
torontosun.com
71-year-old says decision to not run for his old job was to protect him and his family
Author of the article:Spiro Papuckoski
Published Mar 03, 2026 • Last updated 17 hours ago • 5 minute read
John Tory makes his final speech before departing as the mayor of Toronto. Tory handed in his resignation after it was found out he had a relationship with a city staffer, on Friday, Feb. 17, 2023.
John Tory makes his final speech before departing as the mayor of Toronto. Tory handed in his resignation after it was found out he had a relationship with a city staffer, on Friday, Feb. 17, 2023. Photo by Jack Boland /Toronto Sun
John Tory said he has made the difficult decision to not run for his old job as Toronto mayor in the fall municipal election.
Tory, who was mayor of the city from 2014 until he resigned in February 2023 after admitting to having an affair with a staffer, had considered putting his name in the hat.
Olivia Chow won the mayoral byelection that followed in June 2023.
Decision made in family’s best interest: Tory
The 71-year-old Tory said the decision to not run for his old job was to protect him and his family.
“I will not be running for mayor because I feel I cannot put my family and the people I care about through the inevitable attacks on me and my personal life that we’ve started to see before I’ve even announced my intentions,” Tory said in a statement.
“I’m not asking for you to feel sorry for me. I did hold myself to account by stepping down and I know that politics is a tough business — at times, brutal. What I’m asking for is your understanding.”
Tory added he will not be endorsing any candidates for mayor at this time, but said he wouldn’t “hesitate to do so” in the future.
Chow polling ahead of rivals
A poll last week by Mainstreet Research found Chow leading Tory among decided and leaning voters 43% to 34%. However, a majority of Toronto voters (54%) said they preferred the direction of the city under Tory.
Chow, who is 68 years old, has not yet said if she will run for re-election.
Councillor Brad Bradford, who represents Ward 19 Beaches–East York, has said he will run for the job to lead the city.
The poll found Bradford had 17% support, while Anthony Furey, a former Toronto Sun columnist who also ran for mayor in past elections, had 6% support.
A timeline of John Tory's departure as Toronto mayor.
A timeline of John Tory’s departure as Toronto mayor. He says he will not be running in the next election either. Photo by Yoshio Kuramitsu /Toronto Sun
Bradford respects Tory’s decision
Bradford said he has a lot of respect for Tory’s decision and understands why the former mayor will not run again.
“John Tory has given years of service to this city. I will always be grateful for the support he gave me when I first decided to run,” Bradford said on the social media platform X.
“The personal sacrifice that comes with public office is immense and it is often overlooked. It is a massive challenge for the people closest to you and they have to come first.”
Full statement from John Tory
It was the honour of a lifetime to have served as mayor of this city, the city I love and will always hold dearly in my heart. It is my home and I have always tried to treat every single resident as part of a bigger family.
The office of the mayor is a vitally important institution bigger than any one person. I’ve always believed that its occupant must safeguard the integrity of the office. Together with protecting my family and those close to me, it is why I made the difficult decision to step away several years ago, despite the urgings of many to stay.
I left proud of what I had accomplished as mayor: record investments in transit, housing and services all done while keeping taxes affordable; steering the city through the pandemic; leading a great team and protecting members of our big Toronto family, and improving quality of life for residents regardless of where they lived, regardless of their circumstances.
I want to thank all of those who have been urging me to run again, from business and community leaders, to ordinary Torontonians from all walks of life, many of whom approached me on the street and on the subway. You’ve given me a lot to think about and I want to assure you I have given it serious consideration.
We are at a pivotal moment in the life of our city. The world has turned. Allies have become adversaries. Our economy and way of life are under threat. People are justifiably worried for their jobs and for the future. Affordability remains a challenge for many and others fear for their safety.
Toronto has faced challenges before and we have always risen to the occasion. We can be the economic engine powering the country again. We have to be. Canada’s future prosperity and vitality depend on it.
Of course, it starts with leadership. And to be clear — while the mayor of Toronto doesn’t set trade policy or interest rates — what he or she does do is ensure the city is a place where businesses want to invest and grow and where our most talented people want to stay and can thrive while we attract more exceptional people, innovators and entrepreneurs, from around the world.
To do that we need a safe city where regardless of statistics, people actually feel safe; a city where open-air drug use on our streets and encampments in our parks are not normalized and just accepted; where the transit system is reliable, efficient and safe; and where the city government makes an effort every single year — not just in election years — to keep taxes and fees low, and the business climate competitive. We’ve been that place in the past. We can be that place again.
If I were running this would be my focus. But I will not be running. And not because I lack the energy or the desire. I will not be running for mayor because I feel I cannot put my family and the people I care about through the inevitable attacks on me and my personal life that we’ve started to see before I’ve even announced my intentions. I’m not asking for you to feel sorry for me. I did hold myself to account by stepping down and I know that politics is a tough business — at times, brutal. What I’m asking for is your understanding.
I have no plans to endorse anyone at this moment but I won’t hesitate to do so. I intend to continue my work as a commentator and will closely watch how the field of candidates develops. And I would urge those who feel they can contribute meaningfully to improving the city to put their names forward — whether it be for mayor or for council.
For now, I will continue to serve in the way that I can, through my charitable and volunteer work including with Woodgreen, Scarborough Health Network, TIFF and others. I will always champion Toronto. I will always be this city’s number one fan.
Most importantly, I am and forever will be grateful for the greatest opportunity and honour I have ever had — to have served as your mayor.
Latest Mainstreet poll of Toronto shows uncertain choice for Mayor in 2026
The latest snapshot from Mainstreet Research shows an interesting race emerging.
mainstreetresearch.ca
John Tory not running for Toronto mayor in municipal election
John Tory said he made the difficult decision to not run for his old job as Toronto mayor in the fall municipal election. Read more.
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