Toronto Votes 2026: Former Beaches-East York Councillor Brad Bradford finishes second in mayoral race

By PARISSA SANJARANI

After months of campaigning and a tight battle, Brad Bradford’s mayoral campaign of change came to an end Monday night, as Torontonians decided to continue the path set by Olivia Chow.

At Bradford’s watch party in the Imperial Room at the Fairmont Royal York on Oct. 26, supporters and volunteers watched the results unfold throughout the evening.

The room erupted in cheers for Bradford when the first results appeared around 9:10 p.m., showing him ahead of Chow. The crowd chanted, “Brad Bradford,” as supporters celebrated the early results.

But as more votes were counted, the lead shifted. By 9:30 p.m., Chow had moved ahead, and the atmosphere in the room grew quieter as the results continued to come in.

By 10 p.m., it was clear Chow would be re-elected mayor. The result had some attendees and volunteers in tears, while others stood still, watching the outcome of the race.

Unofficial results show Bradford received 404,013 votes (41.11 per cent), compared with Chow’s 532,201 votes (54.16 per cent)

Bradford arrived shortly after the results came in to deliver his concession speech, accompanied by his family. He began by saying he had spoken with Chow by phone and congratulated her on her re-election.

“People of Toronto have spoken, and they have decided that she will be returning to the mayor’s office. She is the mayor of this city. Nobody can doubt that. It’s undisputable, and she has my good wishes,” Bradford told his supporters. 

“This is not the result that we were hoping for tonight, I could see it on some faces. I feel it too, but I also have this feeling of immense gratitude for the opportunity to put our ideas forward, our vision of a better Toronto,” he said.

Bradford, 40, was first elected as the city councillor for Beaches-East York in 2018 at age 32, making him one of the youngest members of council at the time. He was re-elected in 2022.

In the June 2023 mayoral byelection, after John Tory stepped down, Bradford finished eighth in the race won by Chow.

A former urban planner, Bradford ran his mayoral campaign this year on the issues of public safety, traffic congestion, the cost of living and cleanliness.

His platform included a one-year property tax freeze, hiring 1,000 additional frontline police officers and a proposed money-back guarantee for TTC riders whose vehicles were more than 15 minutes late.

 Jack Wiley, an attendee at Monday night’s party and a Bradford supporter, said he was disappointed by the result of the mayor’s race.

“I was really thinking that he was going to be elected, and I think that it was great that he congratulated her. We all want Toronto to be doing well, and I’ll hope for the best,” he said.

Speaking about Chow, Wiley said he hoped she would address homelessness and affordable housing.

“I hope that when it comes to the issue of homelessness and affordable housing, she puts her money where her mouth is, but I’m not holding my breath right now.”

Tiki Huang, a teacher who volunteered for Bradford’s campaign, said public safety was the main reason he supported him. Huang, who immigrated to Toronto 12 years ago, said he believes the city is not safe.

“I really hope that the city can move towards the right direction, no matter who gets elected,” he said.

Bradford also expressed hope that the city would move forward despite Monday’s election result.

“I said I want her to succeed, and my supporters … they want her to succeed too, they all do, because we all love this city, we know it can be better, and we have to come together to make that happen,” said Bradford.

This election coverage is part of an initiative involving Beach Metro Community News, Centennial College and Toronto Foundation to engage emerging journalists in civic life and their communities through hands-on, hyperlocal reporting. The initiative is made possible in part through support from Toronto Foundation.