Leanne Caron's two decades as a Ward 5 councillor and emphasis on affordability, collaborative governance, and measured development have positioned her as the frontrunner in trader consensus for Guelph's October 26 mayoral contest. Ken Yee Chew, the Ward 6 incumbent, counters with priorities on budget stabilization, core services, and practical urban planning, drawing support amid concerns over taxes and housing costs. Recent all-candidates events in early October highlighted differences on data centres, student housing supply, and municipal spending, yet no decisive polling shifts have emerged. The tight contest between the two leading candidates, with minor contenders trailing far behind, reflects voter focus on local economic pressures ahead of advance voting now underway.