TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Kuomintang Taipei City Chapter Chair Tai Hsi-chin (戴錫欽) warned Friday that delayed coordination among opposition candidates in the New Taipei mayoral race could give the Democratic Progressive Party an edge.
Speaking in an interview, Tai responded to comments by host Huang Kuang-chin (黃光芹), who noted that the KMT appears eager to integrate opposition candidates as soon as possible, while the Taiwan People’s Party prefers more time to build support for its contenders, per Tai Sounds. Tai said the KMT respects the TPP’s position but stressed that both parties must find a mutually acceptable path forward.
Tai said the urgency stems from DPP New Taipei mayoral candidate Su Chiao-hui (蘇巧慧), who has already launched her campaign. He said Taipei Deputy Mayor Lee Shu-chuan (李四川), viewed in earlier polls as the strongest opposition contender, has begun to lose ground to Su.
Tai said he has urged party leaders to accelerate coordination efforts to avoid weakening Lee’s prospects. He added that as Su’s momentum builds, concern is growing among the KMT’s grassroots supporters in New Taipei.
Asked whether a failure to integrate could result in a DPP victory, Tai said he does not believe such a scenario will materialize, but called on party leadership to strengthen communication and demonstrate resolve in pursuing cooperation.
KMT Chair Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) said Tuesday the party will complete its nomination process for the New Taipei mayoral candidate before the Lunar New Year, per Newtalk. She added that the KMT plans to name its own candidate before coordinating with the TPP on a joint ticket.
Cheng had previously suggested that Lee would be the nominee, though the party later clarified that the decision would be made through established mechanisms. New Taipei Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜) weighed in Wednesday, saying he would respect the party’s nomination process, per NOWNews.
Lee is currently focused on the Nvidia headquarters project in Taipei and has indicated a preference to begin campaigning after the Spring Festival, per Newtalk. However, with Su backed by factions linked to her father, former Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌), and former President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), unease has grown within the KMT’s New Taipei base.
Meanwhile, Lee faces competition from within the TPP, as party Chair Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) has stepped up campaigning in New Taipei, touting support from former TPP Chair Ko Wen-je (柯文哲).
Lee also faces an internal challenge from New Taipei Deputy Mayor Liu Ho-jan (劉和然), who has been campaigning for the KMT nomination. Hou has reportedly signaled support for Liu by including him in his most recent annual meeting with borough chiefs across New Taipei.
Among KMT supporters, the overriding hope is for unity after the primary process, amid concerns that internal divisions could benefit either the TPP or the DPP.
