The man who finished second to Mayor Rob Ford in the 2010 mayoral election is backing NDP MP Olivia Chow in next year’s vote, even though she hasn’t declared her candidacy.
In another sign of growing support for the federal politician, former Ontario deputy premier George Smitherman confirmed to CP24 he is endorsing Chow, who previously indicated she is considering a run.
Smitherman was a Liberal MPP in ex-premier Dalton McGuinty’s government until he stepped down in 2010 to run for mayor.
Ford plans to seek a second term as mayor. So far, Coun. Karen Stintz, the chair of the TTC, and former city councillor David Soknacki have declared their intention to run.
Nominations open Jan. 2 and Torontonians will head to the polls Oct. 27, 2014.
