Overview
- Chow registered and declared her bid for a full four-year term, saying she will keep governing now and campaign in the fall.
- Coun. Brad Bradford has already launched his campaign and is the main declared challenger, with several high-profile potential entrants choosing not to run.
- Chow’s first-term record — including property tax hikes of 9.5% in 2024, 6.5% in 2025 and 2.2% for 2026 — is emerging as a central point of voter scrutiny.
- Her team delayed a re-election announcement to avoid distracting from city priorities such as FIFA World Cup preparations and ongoing housing and transit initiatives.
- Chow’s political history and dealings with the provincial government frame the race, with observers noting her focus on negotiating funding and projects rather than escalating public fights with Queen’s Park.