Browsing: Mayoral race 2026

The Big Media poll points to a question that has followed Lai’s campaign for months: Why has he not built a more comfortable lead in a city where the DPP holds the mayor’s office, all eight district legislative seats and a strong local organization?

Mayor says he will finish his term amid speculation he could be promoted.

By KHT Staff. Images via 柯志恩 Facebook page. KAOHSIUNG — KMT Kaohsiung mayoral candidate Ko Chih-en (柯志恩) on Tuesday proposed…

Polls have varied widely. In early June, one had Lai at 45% and Ko trailing at 25%. Not long after, another poll put Lai at 40.3% and Ko at 39.7%. The spread between those results highlights how unreliable polling can be, and the latest poll is better read as evidence that the race may be tightening.

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.

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.