Rob Ford, the infamous mayor of Toronto Canada who was caught on video doing cocaine among other things, is calling it quits after being hospitalized with what is being called an abdominal tumor. The mayor has decided to focus on getting better and recommended that his brother Doug Ford, runs in his place.
“My heart is heavy when I tell you that I’m unable to continue my campaign for re-election as your mayor,” the controversial politician said in a statement Friday. Ford’s term officially ends December 1.
“People know me as a guy who faces things head on and never gives up, and as your mayor I have done just that,” Ford said. “Now I could be facing a battle of my lifetime, and I want the people of Toronto to know that I intend to face this challenge head on, and win.”
Ford asked his brother, Doug Ford, to run for mayor in the October 27 balloting.
“He told me that he needed me to take the torch while he focuses on getting better,” Doug Ford said at a press conference Friday evening outside his mother’s home. “He told me he couldn’t bear the thought of city hall returning to the old days at the expense of the good, honest, everyday people,” he said.
Doug Ford, who has been one of the mayor’s strongest supporters during the controversies that have plagued him, said he is honoring his brother’s request and would have more details next week about his own campaign for mayor.
