By Eryk Michael Smith/Staff -Image shows the four DPP candidates at weekend campaign events. From left: Hsu Chih-chieh (許智傑), Lin Tai-hua (林岱樺), Chiu Yi-ying (邱議瑩), and Lai Jui-lung (賴瑞隆).
KAOHSIUNG — The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Kaohsiung mayoral primary is entering its final stretch, with party-run telephone polling set to take place from January 12 to 17. On Sunday, the four contenders — Chiu Yi-ying (邱議瑩), Lai Jui-lung (賴瑞隆), Hsu Chih-chieh (許智傑), and Lin Tai-hua (林岱樺) — launched coordinated campaign blitzes across traditional markets and major districts to maximize exposure ahead of the survey.
The China Times reports Chiu Yi-ying led a high-profile market tour in Qianzhen District, joined by allied lawmakers and city councilors from Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung, and Taoyuan, creating what her team dubbed a “Chiu wave.” Vendors and shoppers offered symbolic gifts such as garlic and rice dumplings, wishing her electoral success.
Lai Jui-lung conducted a full-day motorcade tour that covered the Fengshan, Sanmin, and downtown districts. Veteran media figure Wang Jui-te (王瑞德) again traveled south to campaign alongside him, praising Lai as the party’s most stable and experienced candidate.
Hsu Chih-chieh focused on northern Kaohsiung markets, promoting his vision of building a semiconductor-driven “tech sub-center.” At the same time, Lin Tai-hua prepared for a large-scale motorcade starting from Fengshan’s Longcheng Temple.
All candidates urged voters to answer polling calls, emphasizing that name recognition could prove decisive in the tightly contested primary.
All photos via China Times.
