TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕) may forgo a bid to become the next KMT chair, instead favoring former Taichung Mayor Jason Hu (胡志強) for the position.

Tai Sounds reported that Lu may take a page from former President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) political playbook. When Ma ran for president in 2008, Wu Po-hsiung (吳伯雄) took over the KMT leadership, helping pave the way for Ma’s campaign.

Though Lu has been widely speculated as a leading candidate to succeed current Chair Eric Chu (朱立倫), she has yet to announce any intentions. She emphasized that her June 20 meeting with Chu was focused on the party’s recall campaign and not on the leadership race.

Sources told Tai Sounds that Lu is unlikely to be swayed by outside pressure, and will only enter the contest if she decides it aligns with her goals. They also noted that Hu’s extensive political background, including stints as Taichung mayor, foreign minister, and KMT vice chair, gives him the credibility to lead the party.

Lu and Hu have maintained a close relationship, as seen during Hu’s book launch in Taichung on June 14. While Hu voiced his support for Lu as a potential chair candidate, Lu pointed to Hu, former Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌), and Deputy Legislative Speaker Johnny Chiang (江啟臣) as all being qualified contenders, per UDN.

At the same event, Hu reportedly wrote a supportive message to Chiang, possibly signaling endorsement of Chiang as Lu’s successor, per UDN.

According to ETtoday, some within the KMT believe the party may delay the leadership election, especially if it coincides with potential by-elections. The leadership vote, tentatively scheduled for October, is not expected to affect recall campaigns but may influence other electoral dynamics.

ETtoday also noted that with the 2028 presidential race in sight, Lu may be compelled to take part in the chair race to prevent a more polarizing figure from leading the party.