From his bed in Mount Sinai Hospital where he is possibly "facing the battle of my lifetime", Rob Ford is asking Torontonians to support his brother Doug as a replacement candidate for mayor.
"I want the people of Toronto to know that I intend to face this challenge head on, and win," said a statement from Rob Ford issued Friday afternoon.
"With the advice of my family and doctors I know I need to focus on getting better. There is much work to be done and I can’t give it my all at this point in time," the statement said.
"While I’m unable to commit to the heavy schedule required for a mayoral candidate I will not turn my back on Ward 2. I will be running as councillor of Ward 2, to represent the fine folks that have become my neighbours and friends over these past 14 years."
Ford said history was made four years ago by "a movement that would take back our city."
"I was not alone in this, my big brother Doug was by my side, sharing my vision, fighting for the great people of Toronto. I never could have accomplished what we did without him," the statement added.
"I’ve asked Doug to finish what we started together, so that all we’ve accomplished isn’t washed away."
"I have asked Doug to run to become the next Mayor of Toronto, because we need him. We cannot go backwards."
Doug Ford, refiling some papers to register as a mayoral candidate as the 2 p.m. nomination deadline loomed on Sept. 12, said he will speak to the media shortly.