Stratford’s October 26, 2026 mayoral race features incumbent Martin Ritsma seeking re-election against four certified challengers—councillors Jo-Dee Burbach and Mark Hunter, 2022 runner-up Robert Ritz, and Andrew Rea—after nominations closed August 21 with minimal withdrawals. The contest remains tight because no public polling consolidates support, the field is fragmented, and voters weigh Ritsma’s record on housing starts, infrastructure spending, and budget restraint against calls for fresh leadership and differing views on the city’s legal challenge to provincial strong-mayor powers. Hunter backs the court action while Ritz opposes it as unnecessary litigation. Candidate forums, councillor endorsements, and turnout shifts among residents focused on development pace and fiscal accountability could produce clearer separation before election day.