Incumbent Mark Sutcliffe holds a commanding position in the Ottawa mayoral race ahead of the October 26 vote, backed by his 2022 victory margin and consistent polling leads among decided voters. Recent campaign activity has centered on fiscal policy, with Sutcliffe pledging a 2.5% property tax increase ceiling for the first two years while rivals like Jeff Leiper propose an additional 1% infrastructure levy and Neil Saravanamuttoo emphasize zero-based budgeting. Debates on transit, housing, stormwater infrastructure, and student issues have drawn attention, though Sutcliffe has skipped several forums due to scheduling. The field of 14 candidates, including Alex Lawson, continues to fragment opposition support, particularly among progressive voters, reinforcing trader consensus around the incumbent's re-election path.