Michael Ford wins byelection in Toronto Ward 2, replaces late uncle Rob Ford
TORONTO — Ford Nation is still a driving political force in Toronto’s west end, where the nephew of the late Rob Ford has been elected to city council.
Michael Ford easily defeated 11 other candidates Monday to become city councillor for Ward 2 in a byelection triggered when his uncle, the former Toronto mayor, died in March from a rare and aggressive form of cancer.
Ford opened a big early lead as soon as polls closed, and finished with 69.5 per cent of the vote (6,534), compared with 20.5 per cent (1,918) for second-place Jeff Canning, a small business owner.
The 22-year-old campaigned on the same themes as his uncles Rob and Doug — customer service and lower taxes — and said he would emulate them by returning constituent phone calls and showing up at their doors if necessary.