Pantalone latest to join Toronto mayor's race

Toronto's deputy mayor is now in the race to replace his boss.

Joe Pantalone became the latest candidate for David Miller's job on Wednesday when he filed his nomination papers at city hall.

The contest to replace Miller in October's municipal election is becoming quite crowded.

Former Ontario Liberal cabinet minister George Smitherman, former federal Liberal strategist Rocco Rossi and city councillor Giorgio Mammoliti head the list - which now numbers more than a dozen.

Pantalone said his experience and wisdom distinguish him from the other candidates.

"It's not a matter of how many years you have under your belt, it's how wise and how alert [you are]," he said.

Pantalone was born in Sicily and immigrated to Toronto with his family in 1965. He later graduated from Harbord Collegiate and then obtained a geography degree from the University of Toronto.

It took him a number of tries but he was finally elected to Toronto city council in 1980.

Pantalone, 57, has been a Toronto city councillor for the west end riding of Trinity-Spadina ever since.