Incumbent Martin Ritsma maintains a slim edge in trader consensus for the October 26 Stratford mayoral election, reflecting his 2022 narrow victory and council experience. The race stays tight due to a five-candidate field that includes sitting councillors Jo-Dee Burbach and Mark Hunter, 2022 runner-up Robert Ritz, and Andrew Rea, with no dominant public polling available after nominations closed in August. A late-September candidates’ debate highlighted shared priorities around housing supply and development while exposing differences on provincial Strong Mayor powers and municipal land use. Further separation could emerge from additional forums, councillor endorsements, or shifts in voter focus on intensification and fiscal issues before advance voting opens in mid-October.