William Azaroff leaves Vancouver mayoral race and endorses Pete Fry

OneCity candidate William Azaroff withdrew from Vancouver's mayoral race Tuesday morning, saying he is acting on a commitment by progressive parties to support one candidate capable of challenging incumbent Mayor Ken Sim.

Azaroff said progressives had promised voters there would be one progressive mayoral candidate on the ballot. He said uniting behind one candidate is necessary to defeat Sim and ABC and change the city's direction, adding that the consolidation was requested by voters and promised by progressive parties.

His departure follows COPE candidate Stephanie Allen's recent withdrawal from the race. COPE subsequently launched a poll seeking feedback on who should be the unified progressive candidate. Azaroff endorsed Green Party councillor Pete Fry as the progressive coalition's mayoral candidate and wished the remaining candidates, OneCity candidates, Fry, the Greens and COPE well.

Azaroff said OneCity will continue campaigning in other civic contests. The party remains committed to seeking seats on city council, the school board and the park board, and he urged voters to support its candidates.