Incumbent Dianne Saxe Switches Wards Ahead of Municipal Deadline
AI-generated image · Bay Street Wire
Councillor Saxe exits a projected clash with Mike Layton in University Rosedale to seek a seat in Toronto Danforth.
In an unprecedented move just before the nomination deadline for Toronto’s municipal election, incumbent councillor Dianne Saxe has switched the ward in which she is seeking re-election, as Global News Toronto first reported. Saxe, who has represented University Rosedale since 2022, registered to run in Toronto Danforth instead of her current ward.
The shift avoids a direct confrontation in University Rosedale with Mike Layton, a former councillor who served in that ward beginning in 2010. Polling conducted by Forum Research indicated Layton would likely have won a race between the two progressive candidates.
Saxe's new target, Toronto Danforth, is open because incumbent Paula Fletcher is not seeking re-election. Speaking to reporters, Saxe stated she is a "good match" for the area's challenges, specifically citing her work on protecting the waterfront and revitalizing the Don River.
The decision arrived Friday, the same day as the 2 p.m. registration deadline for municipal elections across Ontario. Other high-profile entries included former Liberal MPs Shaun Chen, running in Scarborough North, and Nate Erskine-Smith, contesting the Beaches—East York ward.
The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) stated that municipal clerks are expected to certify candidates for over 2,800 elected seats by Monday. AMO Executive Director Lindsay Jones described the commitment to public service as the foundation of a representative municipal system.
Separately, recent polling regarding the Toronto mayoral race shows incumbent Olivia Chow leading Coun. Brad Bradford by approximately 11 points, with former federal minister Chris Alexander in third place.