Craig Hodge holds a leading position in the Coquitlam mayoral market after securing the endorsement of outgoing Mayor Richard Stewart, who is not seeking re-election after nearly 18 years. As a long-serving councillor with established local recognition, Hodge has highlighted continuity on housing, infrastructure, and community amenities ahead of the October 17, 2026 vote. Multiple other candidates, including Trish Mandewo and Madhavee Inamdar, have declared, creating a fragmented field under first-past-the-post rules. With nominations closing September 11 and the formal campaign period beginning shortly after, trader sentiment reflects Hodge’s early organizational advantage alongside uncertainty over how late entrants and voter turnout in a multi-candidate contest may affect final margins.