Comebacks in Ford's camp and beyond

And the SSW call heard 'round the world

ABOVE THE FOLD

Liberal nomination contender and past candidate QADIRA JACKSON rang me up to dish about her bid in Scarborough Southwest, a late-in-the-game call from challenger NATE ERSKINE-SMITH and her status as a lawyer — before we dig in: some familiar faces could be returning to DOUG FORD’s world, and beyond.

First in Observer — GARY CRAWFORD says he’s mulling a run in the soon-to-be-called byelection in Scarborough Southwest. The big question is whether the former veteran Toronto councillor for the district and city budget chief will fly the provincial PC banner, or that of the federal Conservatives.

“There’s different parties and different levels, and, you know, that’s really where it’s at. There’s no decisions been made,” he told me over the phone.

Crawford, who is currently chair of the Ontario Cannabis Retail Corp’s board and a special Ford government adviser for Toronto’s “new deal,” says he’s being wooed to run by both the federal and provincial parties.

He’s heard from PC…