In the weeks that followed, re-entering politics was the last thing on Del Duca’s mind as he underwent what he calls a 'political grieving process.'
As results poured in for the mayoral race in Vaughan, Ont., on Monday, he was neck and neck with five-term city councillor Sandra Yeung Racco for much of the night.
Once seen as the Liberals’ ticket to rebranding after the party’s historic defeat under Kathleen Wynne in 2018, Del Duca – a former Wynne-era cabinet minister – failed to captivate voters in the province with his campaign, which centred on affordability. "The election result provincially in June was a pretty tough one for me personally, and for my family. So, I didn't jump into this next opportunity very quickly," he said.
His first foray into politics was in Vaughan's 2010 municipal election, where he was beat out for a position on city council by a few hundred votes. He said it means a lot that his community is giving him another chance to serve.As mayor-elect of Vaughan's fast-growing community, Del Duca said he'll prioritize issues like clogged roads, spikes in auto theft and gun crime, and keeping property taxes low for seniors and other vulnerable residents living through an affordability crisis.