Rob Ford pulls out of Toronto mayor's race due to health concerns

[jmyrlefuller]

http://news.wbfo.org/post/rob-ford-pulls-out-toronto-mayors-race-due-health-concerns

by Dan Karpenchuk
September 12, 2014

There is another twist today in the municipal election in Toronto. Scandal-plagued mayor Rob Ford has quit the race, and will be replaced on the ballot by his brother.

A Toronto city clerk has confirmed that Rob Ford has withdrawn from the election campaign. Earlier Friday, his brother Doug Ford said the mayor is facing surgery and chemotherapy and could be bedridden for up to eight weeks. He is quoted as saying Rob Ford is in for the "fight of his life."

Friday afternoon was the city deadline for who will appear on the election ballot. With brother Doug now seeking the top job,  the mayor will now run in his old riding in the city council. The mayor's nephew, Mike Ford, who was running for councillor in that ward, has withdrawn.

Thursday night, Rob Ford underwent a CT scan at Toronto’s Mount Sinai hospital.   Doctors say there is a mass in his abdomen, and they have taken a biopsy, but the results won’t be known for nearly a week. He is also scheduled for an MRI today. 
 
Doctors wouldn’t speculate on the mass in Ford’s abdomen, saying only that it’s a "fair size" and he is described as being in some pain.

A spokesman for the mayor has asked for privacy for Ford and his family and thanked the residents of Toronto for their outpouring of support.

[jmyrlefuller]

For those wondering, that leaves John Tory, also a Conservative Party member, as the frontrunner.

Oddly enough, Ford is actually going to run for a city council seat in his home borough of Etobicoke; his nephew was going to run for that slot. Ford is now endorsing his brother, city council member Doug Ford, for the mayor's post.