Mike O'Reilly holds the leading position in the Kamloops mayoral race ahead of the October 17, 2026, general local election, supported by his record as a sitting councillor and emphasis on continuity in capital projects, debt management, and council cohesion. Recent candidate forums and a CFJC-TV debate have highlighted divisions over taxes, long-term borrowing for facilities, homelessness, and public safety, with O'Reilly defending prior council decisions while challengers like Nelly Dever call for reviews and restraint. The fragmented field of six candidates, including incumbent mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson who has declined some events, has concentrated trader focus on O'Reilly as the frontrunner with established local networks, though advance voting and final campaigning could still shift sentiment before ballots close.