Can the power of the Ford name beat the name recognition of a sitting trustee?

Suddenly, what would likely have been a quiet victory for two-term school trustee John Hastings this fall has erupted into a high-stakes duel with the youngest member of the Ford clan, Rob’s nephew Michael.

In an abrupt move Friday, the 20-year-old Ford quit his bid for city council in Etobicoke North so his uncle Rob can seek the seat, and instead decided to run as the ward’s public school trustee.

While five other candidates are also on the ballot, it is the clash of these two high-profile names that has become a race to watch.

“This will be so interesting; it pits the power of the Ford brand against the power of incumbency — and we’ll see which of these is pre-eminent,” said Myer Siemiatycki, professor of political science at Ryerson University.

But the fact Michael Ford would not speak publicly while running for city council may backfire with voters, noted Siemiatycki. “If they feel a Ford really thinks he doesn’t have to sell himself, that the Fords feel they can get elected anywhere, anytime, for anything in Etobicoke, there may be a backlash against what could be seen as a kind of political musical chairs.”

Hastings, 72, a former high school teacher, backbencher in the Mike Harris government and Etobicoke city councillor, was elected to the Toronto District School Board in 2006.

“Voters will have the chance to choose commitment, innovation, experience and dedication based on my proven track record,” said Hastings.

Michael is the son of Rob’s sister Kathy and Ennio Stirpe, who is serving 18 years for a knife attack that blinded a woman and already has served time for manslaughter.

Michael changed his last name to Ford in February. He graduated from high school in 2010 and is said to be an account executive at Deco Labels and Tags, the Ford family business, although it’s not clear what he does there.

Also running are Tahir Ahmad, Dahir Galbete, Richardo Harvey, Eli Sivalingam and Sandy Zajac.