TORONTO

Oh brother!

Doug Ford wouldn’t rule out the idea Tuesday that he would run for mayor if Rob Ford drops out of the race.

Since Mayor Ford headed to rehab for his admitted alcohol problem, Councillor Ford has repeatedly refused to say whether he would run in his brother’s place if he doesn’t come back to politics. “I have no comment about that,” Ford said when asked Tuesday if he would run.

Ford was spotted sitting in his brother’s empty chair in the council chamber more than once during Tuesday’s council meeting.

Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti even had some fun by briefly posting Doug’s name over Mayor Ford’s name on his council chamber nameplate.

Councillor Jaye Robinson said “there is a rumour that Doug Ford is thinking about running for mayor” - adding she’s heard it “more than once.”

“I’m sure he’s waiting to see how his brother fares because he is trying to go through a process of dealing with his illness,” Robinson said.

“I think he’s actually genuinely thinking about the prospects for him to fill the Ford Nation void. Clearly there is a void now, there is an opportunity and I think he is definitely considering it.”

Robinson - who has clashed with Ford publicly - said he won’t have her support if he runs for mayor.

“I would not be voting for Doug Ford for mayor,” she said. “It is the Rob and Doug show, it always has been … in my mind they are a package deal and I’ve been pretty clear how I feel about Rob running - I feel he should resign - so I would not support Doug Ford running.”

Councillor Josh Colle said he’s suspected “Doug’s wanted that job for years.”

“I think he thinks he is (mayoral material),” Colle said.

Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong dismissed the notion Councillor Ford could be mayor.

“I think the field is pretty crowded on the right,” he said.