Chow launches Toronto re-election bid with poll lead

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow is set to officially launch her re-election campaign Wednesday night, entering the 2026 municipal race with a lead over her closest challenger, according to a new poll, even as her absence from a mayoral forum on antisemitism drew criticism from opponents. A Liaison Strategies Toronto Pulse survey, conducted Sept. 4 and 5 among 1,000 Toronto residents using interactive voice response technology, puts Chow at 50 per cent support among decided and leaning voters, compared with 39 per cent for Coun. Brad Bradford. Chris Alexander trails at 10 per cent, with two per cent backing other candidates. Among all voters, including the 16 per cent who remain undecided, Chow leads 42 per cent to 32 per cent, with Alexander at eight per cent. The results have changed little since the firm's previous survey on Aug. 20, when Chow led 49 per cent to 38 per cent. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. Chow did not attend a forum on antisemitism held Tuesday at Adath Israel Congregation in North York, where Bradford and Alexander participated. The event was hosted by Jewish Lawyers of Canada.