Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has withdrawn his bid for re-election Friday and has said his brother will run in his place. His withdrawal stemmed from his recent announcement that he is seeking treatment for a tumor in his abdomen.

"My heart is heavy when I tell you that I'm unable to continue my campaign for re-election as your mayor,'' the mayor said in a statement. ''I have asked [my brother] to run to become the next Mayor of Toronto, because we need him. We cannot go backwards.''

Ford's campaign was also pressured to withdraw for reasons other than his health, amid him spending time in rehab and drug and alcohol scandals. He will now run for a seat on the City Council, after another candidate withdrew himself from that race.

The new candidate, Doug Ford, is a city councilor who had managed his brother's campaign, submitted his documents to run for mayor. Two other major candidates are also running, who will be voted on Oct. 27.

The decision to step down came two days after Ford was rushed to the hospital, where the tumor was discovered. A biopsy was taken for testing to determine a diagnosis.

''As many of you know I've been dealing with a serious medical issue, the details of which are unknown. But I know that with the love and support of my family, I will get through this,'' Ford added in the statement.

Worldwide attention first fell on the Toronto mayor in May 2013 after the Toronto Star and the website Gawker found video apparently showing the mayor smoking crack cocaine from a pipe. Ford denied the reports for months up until police announced they obtained the footage.

He then acknowledged that he had used crack cocaine in a "drunken stupor," and subsequently went to rehab. He was never charged of a crime, and returned to work that June.