The race for mayor in Mississauga is beginning to take shape, with six candidates officially entering the contest for the city’s top elected position ahead of the 2026 municipal election.
The latest to join the race is Mike Matulewicz, a familiar name from the 2024 mayoral byelection, who registered his candidacy this week. His entry brings the total number of declared candidates to six, following a wave of early registrations on the opening day of nominations.
Among the most prominent contenders is incumbent mayor Carolyn Parrish, who won the 2024 byelection after succeeding Bonnie Crombie. Parrish has indicated she intends to seek one more term, citing unfinished priorities for the rapidly growing city.
Also in the race is Ward 2 councillor Alvin Tedjo, who finished second in the 2024 byelection and has since stepped away from his council seat to focus on his mayoral campaign.
Other candidates include returning contenders George Tavares and David Shaw, both of whom have previously run for the position in recent elections, as well as Rahul Mehta, who also contested a council seat in 2022.
The early lineup reflects a mix of experienced political figures and repeat candidates, setting the stage for what is expected to be a competitive race in one of Canada’s largest cities.
Beyond the mayoral contest, several incumbents and new challengers have already registered for city council races across multiple wards, signalling an active and engaged municipal election season.
The 2026 municipal election is scheduled for October 26, with nominations remaining open until August 21. As more candidates are expected to enter the race in the coming months, the political landscape in Mississauga is likely to evolve further as campaigns begin to take shape.