Chow held a commanding double-digit lead over Bradford with most polls reporting Monday night.

Her campaign watch party, held at the same west-end venue where she celebrated her 2023 victory, erupted into chants of "Olivia" as television broadcasters called the election for Chow.

Supporter Kurtis Chen said a second Chow term would build on her positive track record.

"She's done a lot of work on extending the opening hours of the libraries, actually building affordable housing, actually getting it done, which not a lot of politicians can say they've been able to do," Chen said.

Her re-election pitch rested largely on her track record, highlighted by the deal to upload city expressway costs to the province, tighter rules for bad-faith evictions, and reduced 911 wait times. She will be expected to make good on new promises, including capping transit fares at 10 rides a week and building more affordable rental housing.

Bradford's campaign attempted to cast Chow as out of touch with the city's anxieties and grievances, leaning hard on issues of crime, transit safety and traffic congestion. But it was Chow's message that appeared to resonate with voters on election night.

Bradford conceded defeat and congratulated Chow on her re-election.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 26, 2026.

--With files from Kathryn Mannie and Maan Alhmidi