Browsing: Lai Jui-lung (賴瑞隆)

KMT mayoral candidate Ko Chih-en is preparing for her first major Fongshan rally, while DPP rival Lai Jui-lung is backing a proposed NT$150 million gymnastics training center. Here is the latest from Kaohsiung’s 2026 election campaign.

Kaohsiung, Tainan and Pingtung all lean DPP, but their 2026 local races will be shaped by different candidates, issues and local political networks.

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.

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).

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.

Political leaders expressed condolences and called for a full investigation Tuesday after two Republic of China Air Force officers were killed in a T-34C trainer crash at Gangshan Air Base (岡山基地) in Kaohsiung’s Gangshan District (岡山).

The latest poll found Lai with 47 percent support and Ko with 30.7 percent. Another 22.3 percent of respondents were undecided.

Polls have shown Lai ahead 45.5%, with Ko at 26.2% — but others have Ko leading Lai 44% to 37.7%, underscoring how fluid the race still appears to be this far from election day.

The visit came as Tsai has remained highly visible on social media after leaving office, with recent appearances alongside Democratic Progressive Party candidates in other parts of Taiwan.