Ján Forgáč holds the leading position in the Trenčín mayoral market due to his 16 years as vice-mayor and public endorsement from retiring mayor Richard Rybníček, framing his bid around continuity on infrastructure, transport modernization, and European Capital of Culture goals. The October 24 municipal election features four independent candidates after September registration, with Miloš Mičega as the primary challenger and lower probabilities assigned to Danica Birošová and Michal Bratranec. Recent candidate confirmations and the open seat after a long incumbency have kept the contest focused on local experience versus alternative approaches, with no major shifts reported in the past month that would alter the current trader consensus on frontrunner status.