Patrick Brown is running for re-election as Brampton’s mayor

OTTAWA - Patrick Brown will seek re-election as mayor of Brampton after being disqualified from the federal Conservative leadership race.

Brown, who was first elected as mayor in 2018, filed his election campaign papers at Brampton city hall Monday morning, ending speculation over whether he'd seek the top job again.

Even before he was kicked out the Conservative race after concerns over financial irregularities, Brown had suggested he might leave that contest if it looked like his rival Pierre Poilievre was going to win.

But that became a moot point after a long-time Brown ally approach the party with allegations the arrangements made to pay her to work on Brown's bid were in potential violation of elections law.

Those concerns are now in the hands of Elections Canada for investigation.

Brown had said he was going to fight his disqualification, arguing he ought to have had a chance to appeal the party's decision.

But he also told supporters last week that they should consider supporting former Quebec premier Jean Charest as the best choice in the field of contenders.

Brown won the mayor's job in Brampton after he was forced out of his previous job as leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservatives over allegations of sexual misconduct, which he continues to deny.

Stephanie Levitz is an Ottawa-based reporter covering federal politics for the Star. Follow her on Twitter: @StephanieLevitz