Bonnie Crombie Registers for Mississauga Mayor Race on July 13

Bonnie Crombie officially registered as a mayoral candidate in Mississauga on July 13, 2026, ending months of speculation about a comeback bid. The former mayor, who led the city for a decade before stepping down in January 2024 to lead the Ontario Liberals, will face incumbent Carolyn Parrish and city councillors Alvin Tedjo and Dipika Damerla. The mayoral election is scheduled for October 26.

Why Crombie left and what happened next

Crombie served as Mississauga mayor from December 2014 to January 2024, winning a landslide re-election in 2022. She resigned midway through her third term to become Ontario Liberal leader. She led the party into the 2025 provincial election, where the Liberals finished third with roughly 30 percent of the popular vote. Crombie failed to win a seat in the legislature in her Mississauga riding. After a weak leadership review in September 2025, Crombie stepped down as Liberal leader early in 2026. She has since appeared regularly at Mississauga community events while considering a mayoral comeback.

The race takes shape

Incumbent Mayor Carolyn Parrish won a byelection in 2024 to replace Crombie and is running again to keep her seat. On social media, Parrish posted a video of herself congratulating Crombie after the 2024 byelection, then wrote that Mississauga needs stable leadership with no political aspirations to other levels of government. City councillors Alvin Tedjo and Dipika Damerla are also registered candidates. The election takes place on October 26, 2026.

Premier Ford’s warning to Crombie

Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who clashed repeatedly with Crombie during her time as Liberal leader, has strongly backed Parrish. In March 2026, when asked about the possibility of Crombie running for mayor again, Ford said he would send an army down to Mississauga to support Parrish. Ford stated he does not typically involve himself in municipal elections, but made an exception in this case. Crombie’s political career spans decades. She first entered politics at age 47 after a long business career and has also served as a Liberal MP and Mississauga city councillor before becoming mayor.

Crombie’s path forward

Crombie sent a message to supporters saying she looked forward to officially registering as a candidate and hoped supporters would join her to mark the moment. Her comeback bid represents a significant shift after her brief and unsuccessful stint as provincial Liberal leader. If elected, she would return to the role she held for nearly a decade before her 2024 departure.

Final Thoughts

Crombie’s return to Mississauga politics sets up a competitive three-way race against an incumbent backed by the province’s premier. The October 26 election will determine whether voters prefer continuity under Parrish or a return to Crombie’s leadership.

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