**Incumbent Elizabeth Roy leads the Whitby mayoral race with strong trader support ahead of the October 26, 2026 municipal election.** As sitting mayor since 2022 and a long-serving former regional councillor and school board trustee, Roy benefits from high name recognition and a record of advancing infrastructure projects, business growth, and strategic planning. Her primary challenger, regional councillor Chris Leahy, has focused his campaign on property tax relief, including a proposed two-year freeze on the municipal portion, amid ongoing council tensions and prior code-of-conduct matters. A September 24 chamber of commerce debate highlighted differences on affordability, housing, and taxes, with the third candidate, Harshini Rajmohan, drawing minimal attention. Market pricing reflects Roy’s incumbency edge and established local profile in this closely watched Durham Region contest.