Rob Ford has withdrawn from the mayoral race so Doug can run in his place

Rob Ford has withdrawn from the mayoral race following this week’s tumour diagnosis, according to multiple reports from city hall. Because, apparently, no mayoral election can proceed without a Ford on the ballot, the mayor’s brother has stepped into the breach: Doug Ford is currently in the process of registering to run. If he’s able to get his paperwork through city hall’s elections office before the 2 p.m. registration deadline [UPDATE: he did], he’ll be the only Ford on the ballot come October. (They won’t even need to make new lawn signs, though election finance law may complicate the process of transferring those and other resources from one campaign to the other.) Also, curiously, Michael Ford, Rob and Doug’s 20-year-old nephew, has withdrawn from the city council race in Ward 2, where he was polling well ahead of his nearest competitor. Ward 2 was Rob Ford’s council seat before he ran for mayor, and there’s speculation that he may register to run in Michael’s place. [UPDATE: Rob Ford has officially registered to run in Ward 2.] It’s a race the mayor could certainly win, even if medical issues kept him away from debates and doorsteps.