**Craig Hodge holds a commanding lead in the Coquitlam, BC mayoral race as the October 17, 2026 election approaches, reflecting his extensive council tenure since 2011 and the public endorsement from retiring Mayor Richard Stewart.** Voters are selecting a replacement after Stewart’s nearly two-decade run, creating an open contest among three main candidates: long-serving councillor Hodge, two-term councillor Trish Mandewo, and public-sector strategist Madhavee Inamdar. Hodge’s positioning emphasizes continuity on growth management, housing options, infrastructure, and public safety amid rising concerns over crime and gang activity in the fast-growing city. Stewart’s explicit backing and Hodge’s record of topping councillor vote totals in prior elections have solidified trader expectations of his victory. Mandewo brings governance and business experience with emphasis on affordability and accountability, while Inamdar highlights transparency and developer contributions, though both trail significantly. Advance voting has already begun, and the first-past-the-post system in this single-member race favors the frontrunner with broad establishment support. The implied probabilities align with Hodge’s structural advantages in name recognition and institutional ties heading into the final week.