Brother Doug takes Rob Ford's place in Toronto mayoral election
Last-minute entry in Toronto election of the man seen as power behind incumbent's throne draws fiery response from front runner in poll
The withdrawal of Toronto mayor Rob Ford and the entry of his older brother in the race turned the spotlight from a volatile man who had admitted smoking crack cocaine to his less charismatic but steadier sibling, long seen as the power behind the throne.
Rob Ford, 45, was admitted to hospital last week with an abdominal tumour, dropped his bid for re-election on Friday and his brother Doug, 49, took his place in the race to lead Canada's largest city and financial capital.
Doug Ford, a first-time city councillor and businessman, has been the mayor's most aggressive advocate, defender and sometimes critic. The elder Ford was also the mayor's campaign manager.
"Did the real mayor Ford just stand up?" tweeted Quito Maggi, a Toronto pollster and political consultant, after the family switch just minutes before a deadline for changes to the ballot for the October 27 poll.
"He comes with all the positives, the same track record as his brother, but not as much of the baggage and negatives," Maggi said.
At a press conference on Friday evening, an emotional Doug Ford said it had been a difficult few days for his "close-knit" family and in particular for his brother. "This is more than a job for Rob, it's his life's work and his passion to fight for this city, and for each and every one of you," Doug Ford told reporters and supporters at his mother's home in suburban Toronto. "He told me that he needed me to take the torch while he focuses on getting better."