Toronto elects new mayor, ending Rob Ford era

Toronto has elected a new mayor, ending the rule of notorious incumbent Rob Ford, whose period in office was marred by his illegal drug use and public drunkenness. Ford's brother, a contender, failed to win enough votes.

Toronto has elected the moderate conservative John Tory as its mayor, with results after 99.9 percent of ballots counted showing he had 40.3 percent of the vote.

Tory fought an election pledging to improve Toronto's aging public transport system and bridge a growing divide between the city and its suburbs. He fought off a strong challenge from the incumbent's brother, Doug Ford, who had replaced the mayor on the ballot and won 33.8 percent.

Acknowledging the result via Twitter, Tory thanked his opponents and urged Toronto residents to look to the future.

Tory also paid a warm tribute to his larger-than-life predecessor, who became internationally known for his raucous exploits, which included crack cocaine-use and recorded displays of public drunkenness that went viral.

A record 53.4 percent of eligible voters turned out across the city's 44 wards.

Ford indicated he could have plans to stand as mayor once again

In third place was Olivia Chow, a left-leaning former federal politician, who garnered about 23 percent.

Not going anwhere

Doug Ford's supporters booed as he congratulated Tory on his victory, admitting that his brother's scandals had played a part in the loss.

Rob Ford withdrew from the mayoral race to undergo chemotherapy, but won't be abandoning politics any time soon. Despite having cancer, he stood for and easily won the city council seat held by his brother in western Toronto.

Ford was elected mayor in the 2010 mayoral election on a platform of reducing the "gravy train" of government expenses and taxes.

On Monday night, he strongly hinted he may seek to run for mayor again. "In four more years, you're going to see another example of the Ford family never, ever, ever giving up," he said.

rc/lw (AP, AFP, dpa, Reuters)