Hamilton will have a new mayor. Fred Eisenberger will not be running again (he's been mayor since 2014, and was also in the role between 2006 and 2010).
So far, the only people nominated are:
Keanin Loomis, former president and CEO of the local chamber of commerce
Ejaz Butt, taxi driver and former head of the taxi drivers’ union
Bob Bratina, former radio personality and commentator on Ticat and Argo game broadcasts, city councillor (2004-2010), mayor (2010-2014), and Liberal MP (2015-2021)
Loomis is the youngest and probably represents the most progressive option, and I think he has the best handle on the city's current issues and future potential. Butt ran in 2014 but only got about 1,500 votes (he
caught the attention of Jimmy Kimmel). Bratina is known for being temperamental and having outbursts (once threw a pen during a council meeting; accused of losing his cool on other occasions) and has strong opinions against LRT (over which he declined to run again as an MP after the federal Liberals committed funding); I think he's too out of touch to be mayor again, but if the voter turnout leans toward the older residents he may garner substantial numbers.
Potential candidates include Andrea Horwath, former Ontario NDP leader, who was a city councillor prior to being an MPP... whether she runs has been an open speculation, and she has yet to say no.
Top local issues:
LRT, yet again
Growth: suburban expansion, intensification, redevelopment (including industrial/commercial); affordable housing is a related big one too
Political integrity and accountability (several scandals have plagued local government the past few years, and council has had a lot of dysfunction)
There will be change around the council table as well -- at least 4 of 15 incumbents are not running, and a few have yet to register.