Agostino was handpicked as the Liberal candidate to contest the Hamilton East seat after his brother Dominic Agostino died of liver cancer March 24.

Merulla said Ralph Agostino gave him an ultimatum Sunday to endorse him for the May 13 byelection and knock on doors or he'd run against Merulla in the next municipal election.

"I wanted to stay neutral," said Merulla, an active Liberal. "But I never back down from a threat and I look forward to the challenge."

Agostino, who was out knocking on doors yesterday, said "absolutely not" to the claims of a threat to get Merulla to publicly back him.

"I don't plan on running for council; I'm planning on being at Queen's Park after May 13."

He doesn't think Merulla's endorsement of Horwath will hurt his campaign. Source.

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