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Rob Ford launches re-election bid: 'I won't back down'

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford officially launched his re-election campaign before a crowd of supporters Thursday night — sticking to the issues he has stressed over his last four years as mayor.

In a 30-minute speech, Ford pledged to fight special interests, to cut red tape and to keep taxes low if returned to office on Oct. 27.

"I’m running on my record and my record is second to none," Ford told the crowd at the Toronto Congress Centre, the same venue where he celebrated his election victory back in 2010.

"I'm the most open hard-working mayor this city has ever had. I continue to pledge honesty and transparency."

Ford did not directly address the scandals that have marked his time as mayor, though he made a joke early on about facing "walls of reporters" outside his office.

Ford said he had learned from his mistakes and was grateful for the kindness and "spirit of second chances" he has seen among his supporters.

He also made references to others "throwing mud" at him.

"No matter what challenges lay ahead, no matter what mud is thrown at me, my message couldn’t be clearer — I won’t back down," Ford told the cheering crowd, amid chants of "Four more years” and “Rob is No. 1."

"I won’t back down from the issues that matter to you. I won’t back down from protecting taxpayer dollars. I won’t back down from putting people's interests ahead of special interests.

“If you have my back when they start throwing mud … I promise you, Rob Ford will have your back for the next four years.”