---
title: "Chris Alexander withdraws from the Toronto mayoral race"
description: "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."
canonical_url: "https://voche.me/on/toronto-2026/news/chris-alexander-withdraws-from-toronto-mayoral-race"
last_updated: "2026-10-10T04:10:30.713Z"
---

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](/on/toronto-2026/candidates/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](/on/toronto-2026/candidates/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](/on/toronto-2026/candidates/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.

## Sitemap

See the full [sitemap](/on/toronto-2026/sitemap.md) for all pages.