TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Lai Jui-lung (賴瑞隆) on Tuesday clinched the party’s nomination for the 2026 Kaohsiung mayoral election.

Lai, who previously served in the administration of former Kaohsiung mayor Chen Chu (陳菊), was first elected to the Legislature in 2016, per UDN. After fellow lawmaker Lin Tai-hua’s (林岱樺) campaign was weakened by embezzlement allegations, Lai maintained his lead in the primary despite a bullying allegation involving his son.

Following the announcement, Lai’s primary rivals congratulated him and emphasized party unity. Legislator Chiu Yi-ying (邱議瑩), who narrowly lost to Lai, said only through unity can the party continue to improve Kaohsiung, per CNA.

Legislator Hsu Chih-chieh (許智傑) also congratulated Lai, saying he would work with him to ensure the DPP continues governing Kaohsiung, per UP Media. Lin called on party factions to rally behind the nominee, adding she would continue advocating for Kaohsiung’s interests as a legislator, per Newtalk.

Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) congratulated Lai, saying unity would be the party’s top priority going forward, per Liberty Times.

In a post-nomination interview, Lai contrasted himself with the Kuomintang’s Kaohsiung mayoral candidate, Legislator Ko Chih-en (柯志恩). Lai said he is deeply familiar with Kaohsiung’s governance, while suggesting Ko lacks such experience.

Lai said he would build on the achievements of Chen Chu and Chen Chi-mai to continue their governing legacy, per ETtoday. Ko responded by criticizing the resources her opponent had poured into the DPP primary, adding the race would be a contest between herself and President Lai Ching-te’s (賴清德) New Tide faction, which Lai is a member of, per Storm Media.

Asked whether the KMT has sufficient resources to compete with the DPP, Ko said she would rely on popular support. She acknowledged being outmatched in resources but said she was confident she could defeat Lai in the election.