TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taipei Deputy Mayor Lee Shu-chuan (李四川) remains the frontrunner in the 2026 New Taipei City mayoral race, according to a poll released by New Era News.

The survey, conducted Aug. 12–16, sampled 1,079 landline users with a margin of error of 3% and a 95% confidence level, per Tai Sounds. It measured support for potential candidates from the Kuomintang, Democratic Progressive Party, and Taiwan People’s Party.

Among the tested names — Lee, TPP Chair Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌), and New Taipei Deputy Mayor Liu Ho-jan (劉和然) — only Lee consistently beat both DPP Legislator Su Chiao-hui (蘇巧慧) and former DPP Secretary-General Lin Yu-chang (林右昌) in head-to-head matchups. Within their parties, respondents favored Lee over Liu and Su over Lin.

The poll did not test a Lee–Huang matchup or a three-way race among KMT, TPP, and DPP candidates. Political commentator Huang Wei-han (黃暐瀚) noted that while Huang still trails Lee, his support has grown since the recall campaign targeting KMT legislators, per NOWnews.

KMT Taipei City Councilor Yu Shu-hui (游淑慧) echoed that view and urged Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) to let his deputy focus on the 2026 local elections, per NOWnews. She also suggested that a TPP-KMT alliance use polling to select the strongest candidate.

Former KMT Secretary-General Lee Chien-lung (李乾龍) has repeatedly voiced support for Lee’s potential candidacy, per UDN. KMT Taipei City Councilor Li Ming-hsien (李明賢) said Lee should finalize his decision before spring 2026, per ETtoday.

DPP Taipei City Councilor Lin Yen-feng (林延鳳) said Lee’s reputation and local ties in New Taipei would allow him to campaign effectively if he enters the race.