Browsing: Kaohsiung mayor race 2026

KMT Kaohsiung mayoral candidate Ko Chih-en (柯志恩) criticized DPP lawmakers Saturday over their response to the Central Union Oil (中聯油脂) scandal, saying they had focused on attacking local governments rather than explaining how contaminated oil entered the food supply chain.

She acknowledged that Kaohsiung remains a city where the DPP has more support than the KMT, and said she does not deny that Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) has maintained strong approval ratings. Ko also said previous mayors, including Han, deserved credit for parts of their work. She said Han’s administration, though short-lived, made improvements to roads, drainage, and flood prevention.

Wang argued that the DPP’s continued strength in Kaohsiung and Tainan gives it more than local control. The two cities also serve as important sources of political talent, grassroots organization, and policy experience, he wrote. Opposition parties, by contrast, have often concentrated resources in northern Taiwan and a limited number of competitive districts, treating southern cities as difficult or unwinnable, according to Wang.

For the long term, Lai said the city should evaluate a 24-hour offshore airport near the waters off the Nansing Project Area (南星計畫區). He said an offshore site could reduce the effect of nighttime takeoffs and landings on urban neighborhoods while supporting international cargo and long-haul routes.

Chen said Central Weather Administration (中央氣象署) data available at about 8:30 p.m. Thursday did not meet the standard for suspending work and classes. He said updated information at about 11:30 p.m., combined with expert assessment, showed a higher risk of short-period extreme rainfall.

KMT Legislator Ko Chih-en (柯志恩), the party’s Kaohsiung mayoral candidate, had been scheduled to appear on Friday with former Taiwan People’s Party Chair Ko Wen-je at a local temple. The event was canceled after discussions between the two sides, with organizers saying disaster response and public safety would come first. The DPP candidate, Legislator Lai Jui-lung (賴瑞隆), visited flood-control sites early Thursday, including the Zhenzhou Pumping Station (鎮州抽水站) in Cianjhen District (前鎮區) and the Baoye Borough detention pond in Sanmin District (三民區).

Ko’s proposal calls for venue fees to be used as an incentive to encourage real-name ticket purchasing, with the stated goal of reducing ticket scalping and protecting fans. Her campaign has also proposed linking concerts with certified “friendly lodging” programs and local travel packages.

District 5, which covers the suburban districts of Dashe (大社區), Renwu (仁武區), Nanzih (楠梓區), and Dashu (大樹區), has five available council seats and has historically favored Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidates. While formal campaign activity remains limited ahead of the local elections later this year, contenders from across the political spectrum are competing for public visibility through community gatherings and social media operations.

The United Daily News reported that Taichung’s Blue Line has not yet begun main civil construction, but its original budget of NT$161.5 billion is no longer sufficient. The Taichung Mass Rapid Transit Bureau estimates that the project may require nearly NT$100 billion more to complete the 11 underground stations.

Lai said the latest poll was only a temporary indicator and that his campaign would continue strengthening local support. Ko’s campaign questioned the poll’s credibility, calling it a survey released by a “green think tank.” The contrast shows how polling sponsor, timing, wording, sampling, and method can shape results and how campaigns interpret them.