Olivia Chow Re-elected Toronto Mayor After Campaign Debate Over Antisemitism

Olivia Chow was re-elected mayor of Toronto on October 26, defeating city councillor Brad Bradford after a campaign that included debate over antisemitism and the protection of Jewish institutions. The result returns her to an office she first won in a 2023 by-election. Unofficial results at 10:30 p.m. local time put Chow on about 54% of the vote, compared with 41% for Bradford. The tally combined advance ballots, mail ballots and election-day votes. Addressing his election-night gathering, Bradford wished Chow success. He said: “When the mayor succeeds, whether that’s mayor Bradford or mayor Chow or anybody else, Toronto succeeds.” Jewish Lawyers of Canada organized a September 8 campaign forum on antisemitism and community protection. Chow’s absence changed the planned debate into separate conversations with Bradford and former federal cabinet minister Chris Alexander, moderated by journalist Jesse Brown. Both challengers criticized her absence. Her campaign had said she would not participate in debates before formally launching her re-election campaign on September 9. Chow’s campaign commitments included free school lunches, more affordable housing, protection of city services and expanded priority for transit vehicles at traffic signals. The election-night numbers remained unofficial, with certification by the City Clerk anticipated later that week.