Toronto’s municipal campaign took another dramatic twist Friday afternoon, when Mayor Rob Ford dropped his bid for re-election amid health concerns. His brother, city councillor Doug Ford, is now in the running for the city’s top political job. Meanwhile, a hospitalized Rob Ford has filed papers for his old Etobicoke council seat.
Here was the reaction on Twitter as the story unfolded at city hall:
I KNEWWWWW Doug was gonna take Rob Ford's place.
— G A L A C T I C ✨ (@oldsoultee) September 12, 2014
Same day different Ford #dougford #RobFord #stilladisaster
— Rose Simpson (@Rosalita54) September 12, 2014
Now, finally, concrete proof that it really is just all about the dynasty, not the well-being of the city. Ford Nation indeed. #TOpoli
— Sean Sydney (@blackbrownbeige) September 12, 2014
So how freaking crazy does #FordNation have to be to not realize the circus & mockery the #Fords have just made of #TorontoPolitics #TOpoli
— Karen Siddiqi (@KarenSiddiqi1) September 12, 2014
Rob Ford drops out of the mayoral race, I will be submitting my papers for the mayoral race to carry on Ford Nation #VoteForRambo
— Ramesh Smith (@Rambosmith93) September 12, 2014
Quite an election, this. #topoli
— Steve Ladurantaye (@sladurantaye) September 12, 2014
Rob Ford will not be mayor of Toronto next year. What an interesting time for Toronto these past four years.
— Stephen Taylor (@stephen_taylor) September 12, 2014
It is interesting that almost none of Rob Ford’s mayoral campaign material says Rob Ford. It all says “Ford for Mayor” #TOpoli
— Mark Jenkinson (@markjenkinson) September 12, 2014
— Warren Weeks (@ElevenPR) September 12, 2014
It's kind of crazy, but I like Rob Ford - in spite of his problems. I hope he recovers from his illness.
— Gary (@appnzllr) September 12, 2014
Every day I get more sick and tired of #Toronto's insular navel-gazing. #RobFord #DougFord #TIFF #adnauseum
— John Richardson (@1anhaga) September 12, 2014
The only thing that could make this mayoral race better is if Luis Suarez entered in the next 20 minutes. #TOpoli
— Paul Bates (@batesbot9000) September 12, 2014
Doug Ford now?! Why? Just why? #fml #TOpoli
— whitney duncan (@katelynpie) September 12, 2014
The more articulate Doug Ford steps in as mayor candidate. Rob Ford has withdrawn due to the illness. The polls will be chaos now!!!
— Frankiebeeeee (@frankiebeeeee) September 12, 2014
Doug Ford scares me. Same politics as Rob Ford. But much smarter and less crack mean he'll be more persuasive/appealing to moderates #topoli
— Atif Kukaswadia (@MrEpid) September 12, 2014
Why does this ford switch reminds me of house of cards!!! Of course Doug ford as @KevinSpacey #TOpoli
— kumar (@KumarRavishh) September 12, 2014
My reaction to this Doug Ford mayoral candidacy news: #TOpoli pic.twitter.com/6ZRjUj3Gqa
— Daniel George (@ItsDanielGeorge) September 12, 2014
Some of the Ford brothers’ council colleagues also took to social media to share their thoughts on the surprising news:
It sure takes a lot of OTHER people helping for Doug to fill out a nomination paper. #TOpoli
— Shelley Carroll (@shelleycarroll) September 12, 2014
Monorails (unpaid for), Ferris wheels, Tim Hortons replacing libraries, broken services & more lies. Just a piece of the Doug Ford platform.
— Josh Matlow (@JoshMatlow) September 12, 2014
Political drama unfolding at City Hall. #ward10 #TOpoli
— James Pasternak (@JamesPasternak) September 12, 2014
Jimmy Kimmel weighed in too:
jokes aside, wishing @TOMayorFord and his family the best
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) September 12, 2014
