Chris Alexander drops out of Toronto mayor’s race - Toronto Star

The former immigration minister made the announcement Tuesday morning.

Former MP Chris Alexander speaks during a Toronto mayoral debate last month.

Chris Alexander is dropping out of the race for mayor of Toronto.

The former immigration minister made the announcement Tuesday morning. 

His departure leaves incumbent Olivia Chow and rival councillor Brad Bradford as the two main contenders.   

In nearly 10 weeks of campaigning, Alexander had failed to garner a critical mass of support, despite presenting a series of robust policy packages. He missed the departure deadline and will remain on the ballot for the Oct. 26 vote. 

He entered the race with considerable political baggage. When he was a member of Stephen Harper’s cabinet, he received intense criticism for his handling of the Syrian refugee crisis and for a proposal to prevent what he called “barbaric cultural practices.”

A new Liaison poll has Olivia Chow in the lead, but recent polls show Brad Bradford making up some ground.