TORONTO

Working to reignite Ford Nation in the Scarborough-Rouge River byelection, former Toronto councillor and mayoral candidate Doug Ford says he is a constant presence in the riding.

Campaigning on behalf of Ontario Progressive Conservative candidate Raymond Cho, Ford said he’s hard at work as the Sept. 1 vote looms.

“Every day I’m out there helping every way I can — door knocking, putting up signs, organizing volunteers, getting the vote out,” Ford told the Toronto Sun.

Scarborough voters have tended to embrace the Fords and their support for a subway — part of the so-called Ford Nation that brought his late brother Rob to the mayor’s office and backed Doug to a second-place finish behind Toronto Mayor John Tory during the last municipal election.

Scarborough residents are telling him at the door that they’re unhappy with high hydro rates and that they want the subway they were promised, Ford said.

“The only people that have really promoted Scarborough over the last five years is Rob Ford and Doug Ford,” he said. “Every second word out of our mouth is ‘Scarborough.’”

Asked about his own political plans, Ford said he’s ruled out a federal run.

“It’s either two things — I’m going to run for the provincial PC party in Etobicoke North or I’m going to run against John Tory,” he said.

As a start, Ford wants to paint Scarborough-Rouge River Tory blue.

A breakthrough in the 416 area code would put a shine on PC Leader Patrick Brown as the Ontario Legislature returns in the fall, while a loss would suggest there’s still significant work to do if the party is to have a chance at winning the next general election.

“It’s huge, it’s the biggest, massive,” Ford said. “He knows it. The Liberals know it. The people of Scarborough know it.”

Liberal candidate Piragal Thiru’s campaign declined an opportunity to comment on Ford’s involvement in the race, but issued a statement that said residents have shown enthusiasm for the Wynne government’s commitment to transit, health care and education.

“I’m having lots of discussions on doorsteps and at community events where the conversation frequently turns to free university tuition and full-day kindergarten,” he said.

Also in the race, triggered by the resignation in March of Liberal MPP Bas Balkissoon, is NDP candidate Neethan Shan.

Advance polling is underway in the riding from Aug. 17 to Aug. 26, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

aartuso@postmedia.com