TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) announced on Wednesday the DPP’s third wave of mayoral candidates for next year’s local elections, selecting Liu Chien-kuo (劉建國) for Yunlin, Chen Su-yueh (陳素月) for Changhua, and Tung Tzu-wei (童子瑋) for Keelung.

The president said the three candidates demonstrate public support and deep grassroots engagement, per TVBS. They emphasized their campaigns serve society, not specific families, and vowed to uphold DPP values, per UDN.

Lai highlighted Tong’s political rise from independent candidate to Keelung council speaker, fueled by gratitude to his hometown. Tung said Keelung prospered under former Mayor Lin Yu-chang (林右昌) but stalled in recent years, and he aims to restore the city’s growth and vitality.

Chen Su, Lai said, is sincere and diligent, known for treating people like family and balancing single motherhood with public service. Chen pledged to focus on education and community development while staying true to her mission of serving the public.

Lai described Liu as committed to disadvantaged communities, noting his achievements in river restoration and medical infrastructure. Liu said he will further improve Yunlin’s healthcare and develop a regional traditional Chinese medicine corridor linking Yunlin, Chiayi, and Changhua.

The corridor, Liu added, aims to scale up Taiwan’s traditional medicine sector. All three candidates signaled that they will run issue-focused campaigns emphasizing progress and fairness.