TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜) on Tuesday addressed Taiwan People’s Party Chair Huang Kuo-chang’s (黃國昌) plan to run for New Taipei mayor in 2026, a move that could complicate opposition coalition efforts in future elections.
Responding to reporters, Hou welcomed “anyone who wants to contribute to the city” but shifted focus to disaster preparedness as Typhoon Podul approaches, per UDN.
Political commentator Huang Wei-han (黃暐瀚) said Huang Kuo-chang’s profile has grown following his decision to uphold the TPP’s two-year term limit for legislators-at-large and his high-profile role in the anti-recall movement, per Newtalk. He argued that Huang is reminding voters of the failed TPP-KMT cooperation in the 2024 elections to boost his standing.
Huang Wei-han warned that coordinating candidates in New Taipei will be a key challenge for the opposition. KMT Legislator Hung Mong-kai (洪孟楷) voiced support for selecting the strongest contender based on polling, per UP Media.
KMT lawmakers told UP Media that both parties need clear ground rules to avoid repeating the mistakes of 2024, suggesting extended polling periods to ensure fairness.
Former KMT Legislator Apollo Chen (陳學聖) was skeptical of Huang’s bid, per ETtoday, saying he should first prove himself in a smaller city like Keelung before aiming for a special municipality. Chen argued that the TPP’s misstep in 2024 was assuming it was the stronger partner, which the results disproved.
A KMT insider told Tai Sounds that Huang is aware of the risks of a three-way race but believes a TPP-KMT coalition could secure him a win. The insider added that Hou’s potential endorsement of either Taipei Deputy Mayor Lee Shu-chuan (李四川) or Huang could be decisive.
If Huang wins the mayoralty, he could position himself as a vice-presidential candidate alongside Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕) for 2028. The same insider warned the move could disrupt a potential succession plan in which Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) would serve as vice president under Lu in 2032 and later run for president.
The insider stressed the KMT should nominate whoever has the highest approval rating and watch whether Huang negotiates in good faith or pressures Lee to withdraw.
A TVBS poll in August showed Lee consistently outperforming both Huang and possible Democratic Progressive Party candidates, including Legislator Su Chiao-hui (蘇巧慧) and former DPP Secretary-General Lin Yu-chang (林右昌), in a three-way race.
Meanwhile, Formosa Chair Wu Tzu-chia (吳子嘉) cited a DPP internal poll from March showing Lee as the only KMT candidate able to decisively beat DPP rivals, per ETtoday. Wu suggested the DPP could employ underhanded tactics against Lee, noting his past work as a consultant at a construction firm.
