TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — President and DPP Chair Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on Wednesday announced several of the party’s candidates for the 2026 local elections, naming nominees for Taichung, Chiayi, Yilan, and Taitung.

Lai confirmed that Legislator Ho Hsin-chun (何欣純), who represents Taichung’s Dali and Taiping districts, will run for Taichung mayor, per Newtalk. In Chiayi, Legislator Wang Mei-hui (王美惠), a former city councilor, will represent the DPP in the mayoral race.

For Yilan County, the party selected Lin Kuo-chang (林國漳), who previously served in the Yilan County Government under then-Magistrate You Si-kun (游錫堃), per UDN. Although not a DPP member, Lin said he intends to join the party and work closely with its local organization. He cited his administrative experience in Yilan as a qualification for the role.

In Taitung County, the DPP nominated Legislator Chen Ying (陳瑩), who is of Puyuma heritage. Chen expressed hope that the party can gain ground in the county and said earlier this month that Taitung should not “become another Hualien County,” per CNA.

Beyond the confirmed nominations, competition continues within the DPP for several key races. Legislator Su Chiao-hui (蘇巧慧), daughter of former Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) and current chair of the DPP’s New Taipei chapter, has submitted her intention to seek the party’s nomination for the New Taipei mayoral election, per ETtoday.

In Changhua County, internal disputes have emerged over candidate selection. The Taiwan Normal Country Promotion Association faction expelled former Changhua Mayor Chiu Chien-fu (邱建富) amid disagreements over the nomination process, per Tai Sounds.

The TNCPA cited polling data in supporting Legislator Huang Hsiu-fang (黃秀芳) as its preferred candidate for the party’s Changhua County magistrate primary. Chiu has also submitted his application to join the primary, arguing that the DPP can only reclaim local governments through open primary contests rather than internal nominations, per Newtalk.

Chiu claimed the TNCPA had already decided to back Huang as early as 2024.