'Would certainly surprise me to win': Lesser-known Toronto residents run for mayor

While much attention has focused on the high-profile contenders -- including councillors past and present, a provincial politician and a former police chief -- the race also features dozens of lesser known residents.

Kris Langenfeld has run for mayor in Toronto twice already -- and has lost both times -- but that isn't stopping him from trying his luck again.

While he didn't raise funds or use volunteers in his previous attempts, he says he's building a campaign website this time around and is taking donations that could see him hire staff and pay for advertisements for the first time.

But he knows he faces an uphill battle.

"I put my faith in God," he says in an interview. "It would certainly surprise me to win."

The carpenter and former accountant is among the 50 candidates who have registered to run in Toronto's mayoral byelection, set for June 26. The race was triggered after John Tory resigned in February following an admission of an affair with a staffer.

While much attention has focused on the high-profile contenders -- including councillors past and present, a provincial politician and a former police chief -- the race also features dozens of lesser known residents, like Langenfeld.

Experts say the so-called "fringe" candidates are an important feature of an open, democratic election, although a crowded field could make it tougher for voters to make a choice.