Toronto mayoral candidate Brad Bradford takes part in a debate in Scarborough, Ont., on May 24, 2023. The Canadian Press/Chris Young
Toronto Coun. Brad Bradford has entered the 2026 mayoral race, while incumbent Mayor Olivia Chow has not yet announced whether she will seek re-election as the nomination period gets underway.
Bradford officially registered on May 1, the opening day of nominations, becoming the most prominent declared candidate in the race so far. A longtime councillor for Beaches–East York, he previously ran in the 2023 mayoral byelection, where he finished eighth in a crowded field. He is positioning his campaign around themes of affordability, public safety, and easing traffic congestion, though he has not yet released a detailed platform.
