![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/TLBLCXQQIVHIZMNVSKKEMAIZPQ.png\")
CHOW, BRADFORD, ALEXANDER Olivia Chow, Chris Alexander and Brad Bradford. (Left: THE CANADIAN PRESS\/Adrian Wyld. Middle: THE CANADIAN PRESS\/Jacques Boissinot. Right: THE CANADIAN PRESS\/Chris Young). <\/p>\nNewcomer to the mayoral race, former MP Chris Alexander, is shaking up polling numbers ahead of the upcoming election. <\/p>\n
The entry of former federal cabinet minister Chris Alexander into the Toronto mayoral race appears to have chipped away at the support for Brad Bradford, a new survey suggests. <\/p>\n
The survey of 1,011 Torontonians was conducted by Forum Research on Wednesday, one day after Alexander confirmed that he was entering the race. <\/p>\n
It found that Chow would receive the support of 47 per cent of decided and leaning voters in a three-way ballot that includes Alexander, compared with 32 per cent for Bradford and 11 per cent for Alexander. Eleven per cent of respondents backed another candidate.<\/p>\n
Without Alexander on the ballot, Chow\u2019s support rises slightly to 48 per cent while Bradford climbs to 36 per cent, leaving the mayor with a narrower 12-point advantage.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe lesson from 2023 for people on the right is don\u2019t split the vote. That\u2019s how Chow got in, a united left vote,\u201d Forum Research president Lorne Bozinoff said in an interview with CP24 Breakfast.<\/p>\n
CHOW, BRADFORD, ALEXANDER Olivia Chow, Chris Alexander and Brad Bradford. (Left: THE CANADIAN PRESS\/Adrian Wyld. Middle: THE CANADIAN PRESS\/Jacques Boissinot. Right: THE CANADIAN PRESS\/Chris Young). <\/p>\n
Bozinoff said Bradford entered the race hoping to emerge as Chow\u2019s lone major challenger, but Alexander\u2019s arrival has complicated that strategy.<\/p>\n
He argued that Alexander\u2019s entry appears to have divided voters looking for an alternative to Chow.<\/p>\n
\u201cBrad was the very first person in the race hoping no one else would get in,\u201d he said. \u201cIn fact, (Alexander) does draw away from Bradford.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alexander officially registered his candidacy Wednesday, one day after confirming to CTV News that he planned to enter the race. <\/p>\n
Bradford dismisses Alexander<\/p>\n
Earlier this week, Bradford downplayed Alexander\u2019s candidacy, telling reporters that he had \u201cnever heard of\u201d the former federal cabinet minister before rumours emerged that he was considering a run.<\/p>\n
\u201cI literally didn\u2019t know who he was when I first heard the rumours circulating,\u201d Bradford said.<\/p>\n
Alexander, for his part, told reporters this week that Toronto is \u201cslightly adrift\u201d and needs \u201can outsider\u201d to get the city back on track.<\/p>\n
Despite Alexander\u2019s late entry into the race, Bozinoff said his early showing is notable given he has no municipal political experience.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe comes in at 11 per cent out of nowhere,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Chow\u2019s approval remains mixed<\/p>\n
The survey found 40 per cent of respondents approve of Chow\u2019s job performance while 42 per cent disapprove, giving her a net approval rating of minus two.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn key municipal issues, Chow receives her strongest ratings on crime (-12 net approval) and property taxes (-12), while traffic congestion remains her weakest area, with 29 per cent approving and 52 per cent disapproving of her performance (-23 net approval). Housing affordability also remains challenging, at a net approval rating of -16,\u201d the poll reads. <\/p>\n
Bozinoff said that Chow\u2018s \u201ccommanding lead despite approval ratings that are slightly underwater overall\u201d suggest that \u201cvoters who have reservations about her performance still see her as the preferred choice for mayor.\u201d<\/p>\n
Methodology<\/p>\n
Forum Research surveyed 1,011 Toronto residents aged 18 and older on July 29 using an interactive voice response telephone survey. <\/p>\n
78 per cent of respondents were reached by cellphone and 22 per cent by landline. The results are considered accurate within plus or minus four percentage points, 19 times out of 20.<\/p>\n
The upcoming election will be held on Oct. 26. <\/p>\n
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