Chris Alexander has ended his campaign for mayor of Toronto, stepping aside as advance voting got underway. The Toronto Star reported the withdrawal on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.
According to the Toronto Star, Alexander said he had not made the decision to run lightly. He also said he could not see his campaign closing the distance on the frontrunners, telling reporters he did not see his team catching up.
CP24 reported that a new poll prompted the exit, placing Alexander well behind Olivia Chow and Brad Bradford. NOW Toronto and The Spec both noted the timing, with the departure coming just as advance polls opened.
Alexander's name had been among those competing for the city's top job. The remaining field now includes Chow and Bradford, who the polling cited by CP24 put ahead of him.
The withdrawal narrows the contest at a point when voters are already able to cast ballots early. Advance voting is now underway across Toronto.
What to watch next: how supporters of Alexander's campaign shift their votes, and whether the remaining candidates gain ground before election day.
