She defeated former deputy mayor Ana Bailão, former police chief Mark Saunders, and 99 other candidates.

On February 10, 2023, the Toronto Star sent a series of questions to the mayor regarding a relationship he had with a female staffer in his office during the COVID-19 pandemic.

[4] Allies of Tory including city councillors Jon Burnside, Frances Nunziata and Gary Crawford had urged him to stay as mayor, and not resign the post.

The City Clerk's Office announced that it would recommend the nomination period open on April 3, 2023, and close on May 12, with the by-election to be held on June 26.

[15][16] The office of mayor was formally declared vacant during the March 29 city council meeting and a by-law was passed to confirm the by-election.

A planned debate at OCAD University (in collaboration with 60 Toronto residents' associations)[19] scheduled to take place on June 1, 2023, was cancelled after threats were made to candidates prior to the event.