President Recep Tayyip Erdogan removed Ardahan Governor Mehmet Fatih Cicekli by decree on July 17 after photos of him in tight cycling shorts at a public sports event went viral.
Turkish politicians had attacked the images as unfit for a governor, with critics saying he prioritized social media and attire that clashed with conservative norms in the eastern province.
More than 10,000 people have signed a petition to reinstate him, arguing he promoted sports, youth activities and bicycle tourism during his short tenure after his January appointment.
Cicekli defended the outfit as standard sportswear, and local cyclists escorted his vehicle as he left Ardahan in a public show of support.
The dispute has widened beyond local politics, with a European Parliament rapporteur backing Cicekli and casting the backlash as part of Turkey's Islamist conservative agenda.