Toronto Mayoral Election

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<h2>TL;DR</h2>

<p>Mayor Olivia Chow currently holds a commanding lead in polls for the 2026 mayoral race, despite earlier hypothetical scenarios after John Tory's departure suggesting a tighter contest.

However, she is already facing early and sustained attack ads criticizing her handling of affordability, crime, and traffic, indicating an intensifying political landscape well in advance of the next election. </p>

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<h3>New poll gives Olivia Chow commanding lead in 2026 mayoral race - Toronto</h3>

<p>(Global News)</p>

<p>Share Close ... Incumbent Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow would command a strong lead over her challengers if she chooses to run for re-election, a new...</p>

<a href="https://globalnews.ca/news/11724321/toronto-election-poll-olivia-chow-lead/">Read more →</a>

<h3>With John Tory Out, Bradford is statistically tied with Chow in Toronto Mayoral Election</h3>

<p>(inFocus with David Coletto)</p>

<p>When we ask the ballot question directly, the race is tight. If the election were held tomorrow and the candidates were Olivia Chow and Brad...</p>

<a href="https://davidcoletto.substack.com/p/with-tory-out-torontos-mayoral-race">Read more →</a>

<h3>LILLEY: Attack ads on Olivia Chow start seven months before voting day</h3>

<p>(Toronto Sun)</p>

<p>Ads show Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow is not dealing with affordability, crime or traffic. Read more.</p>

<a href="https://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/lilley-attack-ads-on-olivia-chow-start-seven-months-before-voting-day">Read more →</a>

<h3>Fact-checking the new anti-Olivia Chow attack ads</h3>

<p>(Toronto Life)</p>

<p>Political advocacy group A Better City Toronto has released three video ads smearing Mayor Olivia Chow's tenure leading Toronto,...</p>

<a href="https://torontolife.com/city/fact-checking-the-new-anti-olivia-chow-attack-ads/">Read more →</a>

<h3>How John Tory’s exit, some bad blood — and a Ford — are threatening to shake up Toronto’s mayoral race</h3>

<p>(Toronto Star)</p>

<p>How John Tory's exit, some bad blood — and a Ford — are threatening to shake up Toronto's mayoral race. As Brad Bradford moves closer to...</p>

<a href="https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/city-hall/how-john-tory-s-exit-some-bad-blood-and-a-ford-are-threatening-to-shake/article_7f10bcdf-e6cf-4e37-b3aa-1a1f3776a805.html">Read more →</a>

<h3>John Tory says he won't run for Toronto mayor this fall</h3>

<p>(CBC)</p>

<p>Former Toronto mayor John Tory has announced he will not run again for the city's top job in this fall's municipal election.</p>

<a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/john-tory-not-running-toronto-mayor-municipal-election-9.7113253">Read more →</a>

<h3>Mayor Chow concludes 24-hour citywide pothole repair blitz</h3>

<p>(CBC)</p>

<p>Winter has taken its toll on Toronto's streets and the city is stepping up repairs after a surge in pothole complaints.</p>

<a href="https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.7146396">Read more →</a>

<p>The political landscape in Toronto is heating up well ahead of the 2026 mayoral election, with Mayor Chow maintaining a strong position in polls while simultaneously navigating an onslaught of early attack ads targeting key city issues.

This early activity suggests a fiercely contested race is already underway, promising an engaging political spectacle for Toronto residents. </p>