Former Ontario PC leader Patrick Brown has registered to run in the Brampton mayoral race.

Brown put his name forward on Friday at Brampton City Hall on the last day to register as a candidate.

BREAKING: look who showed up @ #Brampton city hall- on the last day to register as a candidate. #brampoli @CityNews pic.twitter.com/V7KEZTZeNB — Cristina Howorun (@CityCristinaH) July 27, 2018

Brown has been looking to re-start his political career since resigning as PC Leader in January following allegations of sexual misconduct. He was prevented from running in the last provincial election in the riding of Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte by the PC party.

Earlier this month Brown had announced plans to seek the chair of the Region of Peel but on Friday the provincial government announced elections for regional chair positions in Peel, York, Niagara and Muskoka had been cancelled.

While he says he received encouragement to run in both Mississauga and Brampton, Brown cited his deep family connections to Brampton in making his final decision.

“My dad’s been practicing law in Brampton for 40 years and before I was an MP I actually practiced law in Brampton as well,” Brown told CityNews. “So I’m excited to come back to my roots and try to do great things for the city that produced the great Bill Davis.”

Incumbent mayor Linda Jeffrey welcomed Brown’s entry into the race by pointing out that “the ink barely dried on his lease before he decided to seek our city’s highest office.”

“We need stable, strong leadership and an ability to work with all levels of government, especially Queens Park,” she said in a tweet. “We don’t need chaos and someone who will continue fighting old political battles which will harm Brampton in the long run.”

Jeffrey also slammed Brown’s lack of connection and roots in the city while noting her “35 plus years of living, working and volunteering in Brampton.”

“If Mr. Brown was serious about representing the people of our city he should have invested some time to get to know and be involved in our community instead of using the Mayor’s office to rehabilitate his political career.”