Liberals eye Jack Layton’s seat in Toronto-Danforth calling it more “middle-class”

Ten days after the death Jack Layton, a former Liberal candidate said he will vie for the seat left vacant by the late NDP leader.

Andrew Lang, who challenged Layton in 2008 and 20011, told the Ottawa Citizen he intends to seek his party's nomination for the Toronto-Danforth byelection.

Lang, 43, has politics in his genes. He's the son of former Liberal justice minister Otto Lang and stepson of former Liberal finance minister Donald McDonald. His sister, Amanda Lang, is a CBC business journalist.

Lang's heredity may explain his confidence. In the last election, he lost to Layton by more than 20,000 votes. He's also expected to face a "star candidate" from the NDP this time as well.

Names bandied about include Jack's son, Toronto city Coun. Mike Layton, former Toronto mayor David Miller and NDP president Brian Topp.

Nelson Wiseman, an associate professor of politics at the University of Toronto, told CityNews.ca if the NDP's candidate in Toronto-Danforth is the party's new leader, they will likely retain that seat.

"I think anyone the NDP chooses would win," he said.

Lang and the Liberals, however, believe the changing demographics of the riding — more middle-class than it once was — make it ripe for the Liberals.

Liberal party president Alfred Apps added the NDP won the seat because of Jack Layton.

"Jack actually won it on the strength of his personal reputation and charisma," he told The Globe and Mail.

A date for the byelection has yet to be set. But on Tuesday, the House of Commons Speaker declared the seat vacant, which puts the prime minister on the clock to call a vote within 180 days.

(Reuters Photo)