TTC Chair Karen Stintz says she will challenge Mayor Rob Ford in the 2014 Toronto mayoral election.
Stintz confirmed her intention to run in next year's election on Saturday, in a late phone call to CP24.com.
Stintz, who represents Ward 16 Eglinton-Lawrence, has gained a high profile in city politics after being appointed TTC chair by Ford in 2010.
However, since taking on the role, Stintz has often disagreed with the mayor on the transit file.
Ford has already made clear his intention to seek another four-year term as Toronto's mayor.
On his weekly radio show on Newstalk 1010, Ford said he’s “absolutely salivating” at the thought of running for mayor next year.
“Can’t wait, just getting out there and continuing what I’m doing, saving taxpayers’ money, going out and helping people and just telling the people my record and that’s where going to run on – can’t wait, I’m drooling right now,” Ford told reporters.
Former councillor David Soknacki told CTV Toronto he’s also running “because the dysfunction of council just isn’t working right now and it’s not working for residents and it’s not working for council.”
Other possible candidates, whose names have been widely speculated as possible frontrunners, include NDP MP and former Toronto city councillor Olivia Chow and former Ontario Progressive Conservative leader John Tory.
Chow, however, wouldn’t comment on whether she’ll be campaigning for next year’s election.
“I’m a member of parliament, I love this city, I’m passionate about this city and I know how this city works,” she told reporters. “As to whether I’m going to be running or not, 2014 October is pretty far away.”
Candidates can register to run on Jan. 2. The municipal election is set for Oct. 27, 2014.
With a report from CTV Toronto's Scott Lightfoot
