With John Tory resigning, Ontario PC machine revs up for Toronto mayor race
CBC
Conservative political organizers in Toronto have shifted into high gear in the wake of John Tory's announcement that he will resign as mayor and names of potential candidates are starting to emerge.
The two names being floated the most frequently by Ontario PC and Conservative Party of Canada sources who've spoken with CBC News since Tory's shock announcement on Friday night:
"We'll make sure there's only one credible centre-right candidate," said a senior political organizer with connections to both the Ontario PCs and federal Conservatives. CBC News agreed not to name the organizer to allow them to speak freely about political strategy.
The organizer said the concern among conservatives is that a left-wing candidate could become mayor if multiple centre-right candidates split the vote.
Although mayoral candidates do not run under a political party banner, most high profile candidates have links to provincial or federal parties, or rely on campaign organizers who've worked in party backrooms.
Bradford's political background is not closely tied to the Conservatives. In Beaches-East York, he represents a ward that both provincially and federally swings between New Democrat and Liberal. His mother, Valerie Bradford is the Liberal MP for Kitchener South-Hespeler.
However, three Ontario PC Party sources said people connected to Bradford have been exploring support for him in Conservative political circles.
In an interview on Saturday, CBC News asked Bradford if he's considering running
"What I can tell you is I care deeply about this city," Bradford said. "I think what the city needs right now is a moment of unity, leadership bringing people together. It would be really unfortunate if we saw us descend into a world of politics and spiking the football for personal gain."
Bradford said what's needed in municipal government is leadership that can work with everyone.
"I've always wanted to to work with everyone down at City Hall. I think that's what we're elected to do, work together, get things done," he said
Four Ontario PC Party sources independently told CBC News that Cho is a potential mayoral candidate.
Cho declined comment when contacted on Saturday.
A source close to him said that Cho is flattered by the number of people asking him to run, but hasn't given it any real thought.
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