The mayoral election was contested between sitting acting mayor Akhyar Nasution and Bobby Nasution, son-in-law of President Joko Widodo.

The previously elected mayor, Dzulmi Eldin, had been arrested on graft charges in October 2019.

[3] Akhyar was formerly a member of PDI-P, but left the party due to PDI-P's decision to nominate Bobby for the mayoral race.

Outside of PDI-P and Gerindra, Bobby was also endorsed by PAN, Golkar, Nasdem, PSI, Hanura and PPP, while Akhyar was supported by just Demokrat and PKS.

[3] Two rounds of public debates between the candidates were held on 7 and 21 November 2020.