Chris Alexander withdraws from the Toronto mayoral race
Chris Alexander pulled out of the race for Toronto mayor on October 6, half an hour before advance voting opened, saying his path to success was not obvious.
Reported. A news outlet found this. voche.me names the outlet and links its report. Read the original report on toronto.citynews.ca.
Chris Alexander ended his Toronto mayoral campaign on October 6, 2026, half an hour before advance voting opened across the city, CityNews Toronto reported. CityNews also reported that he had been polling a distant third behind incumbent Olivia Chow and Councillor Brad Bradford.
"Our path to success, it became clear to me over this weekend, was not obvious and perhaps not there at all," Alexander said, according to CityNews. "We thought we had a chance of catching up faster, it didn't happen."
He said he decided to step back before advance voting began so that voters would have the chance to support a candidate who would stay in the race through October 26.
No endorsement
Chris Alexander said he would not endorse Chow or Bradford. He urged voters to read all the platforms and choose the candidate that fits their priorities best.
Alexander had been set to appear in a debate at Toronto Metropolitan University on October 6 and another the following evening. Both debates now feature only Chow and Bradford.
He previously served as a Conservative Member of Parliament for Ajax-Pickering from 2011 to 2015 and as the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship of Canada for two of those years, according to CityNews.
How the remaining candidates responded
At a press conference following Alexander's announcement, Chow thanked him for contributing ideas to the campaign, CityNews reported. She said voters now face a clear choice between moving the city forward or returning to what she called an era of cuts and neglect of public spaces.
Olivia Chow also voted early on October 6 and encouraged others to take advantage of advance voting.
Bradford released a written statement wishing Alexander and his family well and noting that running for mayor is not easy, CityNews reported.
Advance voting is open now
Voters can cast a ballot at advance voting locations across Toronto from October 6 to 11. Election day is October 26. The City of Toronto's election page at toronto.ca/elections lists voting places and registration information for anyone who still needs to confirm their eligibility.
Questions this story answers
Why did Chris Alexander withdraw from the Toronto mayoral race?
CityNews Toronto reported that Alexander said over the previous weekend he concluded he had no clear path to winning. He said on October 6: 'Our path to success, it became clear to me over this weekend, was not obvious and perhaps not there at all. We thought we had a chance of catching up faster, it didn't happen.' He had been trailing in third place in multiple polls behind Olivia Chow and Brad Bradford.
When did Chris Alexander announce his withdrawal?
According to CityNews Toronto, Alexander made his announcement on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, half an hour before advance voting was set to begin across the city. He said he wanted to decide before advance voting started so that all Torontonians have a chance to vote for someone who will see their campaign through to the end.
Who did Chris Alexander endorse after withdrawing?
CityNews Toronto reported that Alexander said he would not endorse any of the remaining candidates. He encouraged voters to read all the platforms carefully and find the candidate whose priorities match their own.
How many candidates remain in the Toronto mayoral race?
CityNews Toronto reported that Alexander's withdrawal leaves incumbent Olivia Chow and Councillor Brad Bradford in the running, and that the debate at Toronto Metropolitan University would now be just Chow and Bradford. Other mayoral candidates are also on the City's list of certified candidates for the October 26 election, and this site lists them at /on/toronto-2026/candidates#mayor.
What was Chris Alexander's background before running for mayor?
CityNews Toronto reported that Alexander previously served as a Conservative Member of Parliament for the constituency of Ajax-Pickering from 2011 to 2015. During two of those years he served as the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship of Canada in former Prime Minister Stephen Harper's cabinet.
How did Olivia Chow and Brad Bradford respond to the withdrawal?
CityNews Toronto reported that at a press conference, Chow thanked Alexander for coming forward and contributing ideas to the election campaign. She said the election choice comes down to whether Toronto moves forward or goes backwards. Bradford released a statement saying he wished Alexander and his family all the best in the future, and noted that being a candidate for mayor is not easy.
Did Alexander's withdrawal affect the scheduled debates?
CityNews Toronto reported that Alexander had been set to appear in a debate at Toronto Metropolitan University on October 6 and another on October 7. With his withdrawal, those debates now feature only Chow and Bradford.
Where and when can Toronto voters cast a ballot?
Advance voting is open from October 6 to 11 at locations across the city. Election day is October 26, 2026. Voters can find their voting place and check their eligibility at the City of Toronto's election page at toronto.ca/elections.
Sources
The pages this story draws on. Open one to check a claim yourself.
- CityNews Toronto: Chris Alexander drops out of Toronto mayoral racetoronto.citynews.ca
- City of Toronto: 2026 Municipal Electiontoronto.ca
Found an error? Tell the editors with the corrections form. A correction is noted on the story it changes. Read our standards.
Topics
More from voche.me
Toronto's mayoral ballot has two candidates named Chow listed side by side
Advocacy group accuses transit union of paying TTC workers to canvass for Chow
