TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan People’s Party Chair Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) on Monday announced his intention to run for New Taipei City mayor in 2026.

Huang said the opposition must nominate the candidate with the best chance of winning, warning that the Democratic Progressive Party could prevail in a three-way race, per Tai Sounds. He said his decision is guided by two principles: defeating President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) in 2028 and ensuring the strongest nominee for the mayoral race.

He noted he has extended goodwill toward the Kuomintang but said the response has been lukewarm. Huang added the TPP should not be content with only legislators-at-large seats and should actively compete in local elections across Taiwan.

As part of this strategy, Huang proposed TPP Legislator Chang Chi-kai (張啓楷) as a strong candidate for Chiayi or Changhua County magistrate. He also said former legislator Chen Wan-hui (陳琬惠) will be the party’s pick for Yilan County magistrate but added the TPP is open to nominating a joint candidate with the KMT there.

KMT Culture and Communications Committee Director Lin Kuan-yu (林寬裕) told ETtoday the KMT has no shortage of talent but remains open to cooperation with the TPP, saying the most suitable candidate will emerge in time.

Meanwhile, DPP Legislative Caucus Secretary-General Wu Szu-yao (吳思瑤) criticized Huang’s announcement, suggesting it was politically timed after the TPP’s decision to retain its two-year term limit for legislators-at-large, per UDN. She argued the move is aimed at maximizing Huang’s personal political advantage and could complicate matters for both the TPP and KMT.

Taipei Deputy Mayor Lee Shu-chuan (李四川) is seen as the KMT’s leading contender for New Taipei City mayor. Although incumbent Mayor Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜) favors his deputy, Liu Ho-jan (劉和然), Lee’s prior experience in New Taipei and strong ties to key KMT figures make him the frontrunner.

Lee previously defeated both Huang and potential DPP candidate Legislator Su Chiao-hui (蘇巧慧) in a 2024 TVBS poll.