Journalist and activist Desmond Cole announced Sunday he will not challenge Mayor John Tory in this year’s civic election.

“I will not be running for office this year, not for the mayor’s office and not for any other office, but I want to say thank you” to those who encouraged him to do so, Cole said on his Newstalk 1010 afternoon radio show.

The social justice activist and former freelance columnist for the Star said that, since last fall, when an opinion poll suggested he would do well against Tory, few days have gone by without somebody encouraging him to run. They shared with him their concerns about the direction of the city since Tory’s election in 2014, he said.

“I am one of the most blessed people in this city and I know it and the experience of people coming up to me day after day talking about their concerns (was a) deep, deep honour and privilege for me ...” Cole said.

“I know what it means to have a real political and ideological alternative, a well-funded and well-resourced mayoral candidate for those of us left behind in this city. But it’s not my time for that. At least it’s not my time right now.”

Cole said he is working on a book and will continue his activism. He encouraged those who were encouraging him to run to support Toronto candidates who support the same issues.

“Council candidates . . . will also fight for the people that I fight for — the homeless, the powerless, those in social housing, those who can’t afford public transit or child care or healthy food, those targeted by police,” he said.

“Wiill you find and support those candidates too? Because that is what our city needs from you.”

Nominations for the Oct. 22 municipal election open Tuesday, when people can register to run for mayor, city councillor or school trustee.

Cole will not run against Tory but he made it clear he will continue criticizing the mayor’s right-leaning agenda, saying Tory fails to live up to his talk about multiculturalism and diversity.

The mayor is running the city “primarily for the rich, white, property-owning citizens of this city,” Cole said.

“They are his base,” and his biggest promise has been to keep taxes low, Cole added.

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