Frank Scarpitti holds a commanding lead in the Markham mayoral race due to his status as the long-serving incumbent with over two decades on council and re-election wins dating back to 2006. Candidate registration closed August 21 with only two challengers, Martin Ross and Stephen Edgell, certified alongside him for the October 26 vote. Traders reflect this limited field and Scarpitti’s prior high approval ratings, including a 71 percent net positive in earlier surveys, alongside his role in recent local initiatives such as the city’s first IndyCar event. Ross gained attention mainly from a single property dispute. A shift could occur if one challenger builds unexpected momentum through targeted local issues like housing or traffic before voting opens, or if turnout patterns favor opposition in specific wards.