John Tory is poised to jump into the Toronto mayoral campaign as early as next week in the wake of encouraging internal polls and backing from political heavyweights, including former premier Mike Harris.

Tory, chairing a forum on the local economy during his vacation from his radio show, declined comment by email Tuesday. But sources say he has been polling and his supporters are optimistic after two privately commissioned surveys suggested he would fare well against front-running candidates Rob Ford and George Smitherman.

“He’s getting down to the short strokes” of making a decision with help from advisers, and is keen to make up his mind very soon, said one of the many politicos to whom Tory has spoken.

“I think he’s leaning more yes than no . . . but it’s not 100 per cent. I think we’ll see a final answer within 10 days,” the source said, on background.

Tory, who ran unsuccessfully against Mayor David Miller in 2003, stunned and disappointed many in January when he said would sit out this election to “pursue a different course with my life and career,” including his chairmanship of the Toronto City Summit Alliance and hosting duties at Newstalk 1010.

Four things, confidants say, have him leaning toward a change of heart: massive pressure from supporters, some city councillors and people on the street; frustration that vital issues, such as efforts to lift up Toronto’s 13 so-called priority neighbourhoods, aren’t getting their due; a healing of the sting he felt last year when he lost a provincial by-election and was forced to resign as Ontario Progressive Conservative leader; and a weakening of opposition from his wife, Barbara Hackett, to their family re-entering politics.

Denzil Minnan-Wong, part of Tory’s inner circle and a key member of a group of city councillors pressing him to run, wouldn’t reveal the content of their recent discussions.

But Minnan-Wong made no secret of the fact that he is among the many urging his friend to run.

“I’ve knocked on 4,000 doors (while running for re-election) and the favourite candidate for mayor I’m hearing is ‘None of the above,’” Minnan-Wong said Tuesday.

“When I mention John’s name there is great enthusiasm. His strength lies in the fact that he’s fiscally conservative and socially progressive. That’s got great appeal on council and for the public . . . If he were to declare, he’ll win.”

At Queen’s Park, where Tory led the Conservatives for more than four years, there is much buzz about him returning to public life.

“He’s definitely polling,” said one senior Conservative, adding Tory is “flattered” by all of the positive comments he is hearing from the public.

Another Tory confidant who doesn’t want him to run, out of concern he would suffer another devastating political defeat, said the train is leaving the station.

“I don’t want him to do it — I think he’s going to hate it even if he does win because city hall is a mess, but there’s a ton of pressure on John,” said the friend.

Insiders say Hackett, her husband’s most trusted adviser, has gotten over her aversion to electoral politics.

She was upset at how her husband was treated by foes and friends alike after his stunning by-election defeat to Liberal Rick Johnson.

“Barb kept a list,” said another friend. “But she’s a lot warmer to the idea” of a mayoral run.

Another booster of his candidacy is former PC premier Mike Harris, who has been privately describing to friends a pathway to victory for Tory.

While the two men have never been especially close — the more centrist Tory has long distanced himself from Harris’s right-wing agenda — the ex-premier, who governed from 1995 to 2002, is a skilled political strategist.

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Tory’s backers hope that Harris will use his sway in the party to convince Rob Ford to drop out.

Ford’s late father, Doug Ford Sr., was a Conservative MPP when Harris was premier, and insiders say the latter could persuade the Etobicoke councillor, who has surged in the polls to a tie for first place, to drop out and support Tory.

But Ford and his campaign advisor, brother Doug Jr., both strong supporters of Tory in the past, have repeatedly said Rob decided to run after Tory dropped out, and nothing will get him out of the race now.

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