From Metro Man: "Given the context, winning by 64,000 votes is pretty decisive. Doug Ford really had no chance.
It looked close because many of those who wanted the Fords out split between two candidates. If you think about it, the anti-Ford vote won by 293,000, a gap larger than Smitherman's entire 2010 vote. The left candidate more than double her support over her 2010 predecessor. Despite the turnout being 20% higher this year, Ford Nation received 50,000 fewer votes in this election. It's clear that the larger turnout went towards anti-Ford candidates.
Of course, the left will be presenting a candidate in 2018 and we might continue to have these three way races until Ford Nation is done with but I think we're safe from the Fords while John Tory is the incumbent and after that when ranked ballots finish divisive candidates like the Fords for a good long time, if not forever."
MM: Good points - 64,000 votes is a decisive win for John Tory over DF no matter what...
Had RF still been on the ballot for Mayor would the Election turnout (and anti-Ford vote) have been even higher?
Hopefully a stronger left-of-center candidate will run for Mayor in 2018 giving voters even more choice and your 2018
outlook speculating that divisive candidates like the Fords may well be finished are promising thoughts for the future...
LI MIKE