Ford was elected to city council in 2000. He immediately made a name for himself, first by his colorful ravings at council and second by refusing to spend his office budget. Ford was, and remains, independently wealthy thanks to his family’s successful label company. It enabled the rookie councillor to pay all of his own expenses. When the numbers came in each year, Ford’s $0 bottom-line always made front-page news. Meanwhile, he began attacking colleagues for their spending habits. Councillor office budgets were just over $50,000. Ford would post their receipts online, highlighting some of the more questionable tax-payer funded purchases. An espresso maker. A bunny suit for an Easter parade. Ford expanded his crusade to “perks.” Free food at council meetings. Free baseball game tickets. City council eventually tightened its spending policy as a result.

When Ford ran for mayor, he promised to stop the “Gravy Train” at city hall. When voters cast their ballot, they were thinking about the Rob Ford who watched out for their money. Not the Rob Ford who was plastered and obnoxious at a hockey game.

On October 27, 2014, Toronto voters will once again decide Ford’s fate. His transgressions have now been expanded to hard-drug use, chronic lying, consorting with criminals and in general, embarrassing Canada’s largest city on an international level. But many of the factors that saw Ford come to power still exist. The suburban-urban divide is still there. Ford’s approval rating (which most believe centers on his agenda rather than the man himself) is still sitting in the 40s. Add to that the fact that with a weakened incumbent mayor, the field of candidates is larger. Ford won with 47% of the vote last time. With a crowded field, he could sneak through again.