Rossi in 3rd place? So says Forum poll

A new poll paid for by a little-known Toronto businessman suggests Rocco Rossi's campaign has moved into 3rd place.

Forum Research, which said the poll was paid for by Victor Pappalardo, conducted a phone poll of 400 Toronto residents on Monday and Tuesday, just after Rossi announced a major campaign shuffle and announced he thinks voters should have the right to fire Toronto's mayor mid-term.

The poll suggests Rossi now holds 15% of the decided vote. Just last Saturday,a Toronto Star-Angus Reid poll put Rossi in last place of the major candidates with just 5 per cent.

When asked who they planned to support, or are leaning towards, 34% said Rob Ford (up from 26% in June), 22% said George Smitherman (down from 29%), 15% selected Rossi (up from 10%), Sarah Thomson came in with 14% (down from 17%), and Joe Pantalone earned 11% (slightly down from 12%).

The margin of error is plus or minus 4.9%, 19 times out of 20.

The timing of the poll is certainly interesting. Those questioned were also asked to respond to Rossi's call for Voter Recall legislation. In total, 73% said they were in favour.

Liberal strategist Warren Kinsella, who announced he had joined Rossi's campaign Monday, tweeted earlier today: "Surprising poll coming out: Rossi has the big mo."

Later blogging: "Ladies and gents, we have a race."

Here is the news release announcing the results.