TORONTO – David Soknacki withdrew from the Toronto mayoral race on Tuesday evening, just hours after the departure of another candidate, Sarah Thomson.
In a statement sent out Tuesday evening, Soknacki said his support is not growing fast enough “to make a difference to the outcome on Election Day.”
“I am incredibly grateful for the loyal and strong support I’ve received so far,” Soknacki’s statement reads. “We have more volunteers, better morale and more donors than ever – but I also feel that asking my supporters to sacrifice more time, more energy and more commitment under these circumstances just isn’t right, especially when we have succeeded in making such a strong statement on so many fronts already.”
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The three main remaining candidates — Rob Ford, Olivia Chow and John Tory — aren’t likely to drop out of the race before October. Despite his many controversies, Ford is adamant he still has a chance at being re-elected and Olivia Chow and John Tory frequently place at the top of polls.
Tory issued a statement after Soknacki’s announcement congratulating him and his team for “their energetic and positive campaign.”
“I appreciated David’s fair-minded and civilized manner on the campaign trail. Torontonians are fortunate that citizens of David’s calibre continue to stand up for what they believe by standing for office so that our city can move forward. I thank him and wish him all the very best,” Tory said in his statement.
Soknacki has not stated if he is endorsing another candidate in the running.
While Thomson made it clear she’s “against Rob Ford,” neither her or Karen Stintz, who bowed out of the race at the end of August, endorsed another candidate.
Soknacki is expected to speak with press on Wednesday afternoon after officially withdrawing his name from the ballot.
Toronto goes to the polls Oct. 27.
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