After a tight race with presumed front-runner Matthew Kellway, Brad Bradford has been elected councillor in Ward 19.
It was a close call. Bradford beat Kellway by fewer than 300 votes.
Kellway is a former federal NDP MP for Beaches-East York, who was backed by David Miller, Toronto’s mayor from 2003 to 2010.
“Thank you to the residents of Beaches-East York and thank you to the candidates,” Bradford said after his victory.
The new Ward 19 is a combination of Wards 31 and 32 under the old 47-ward system. Beaches-East York was one of only two city wards without an incumbent. Janet Davis announced she would not be running for re-election and Mary-Margaret McMahon kept her promise to step down after serving two terms.
Bradford had the backing of McMahon and Mayor John Tory. Tory said Bradford would serve as his transit point person if elected.
Also running were: Norval Bryant, Paul Bura, Dragan Cimesa, David Del Grande, Diane Dyson, Donald Lamoreux, Brenda MacDonald, Josh Makuch, Valerie Maltais, Frank Marra, Paul Murton, Morley Rosenberg, Adam Smith and Veronica Stephen.
Bradford’s campaign knocked on 50, 000 doors since June. His main priorities include improving traffic congestion in the neighbourhood and supporting local businesses. Bradford says those first orders of business will ultimately revive the community’s main streets.
