TORONTO – TTC chair Karen Stintz said she would step down from the position to run for mayor of Toronto.

Stintz told the Toronto Star she will resign as soon as the 2014 operating budget is finalized, likely in January or February.

Stintz, who is the councillor for Ward 16, said she would recommend Coun. Josh Colle (Ward 15) for the position.

She told the Star she didn’t want the appearance of using the “TTC as a platform” for the mayor’s race.

Stintz, Mayor Rob Ford and former councillor David Soknacki have all said they plan to run for mayor.

Ford said he expects the election will be a “bloodbath” and will run on his subway record.

Stintz initially supported light-rail transit to replace the Scarborough RT, but later switched her support to subways.