TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Legislative Yuan Deputy Speaker Johnny Chiang (江啟臣) said Sunday he will take part in the KMT’s second round of negotiations for its Taichung mayoral candidate, according to a Facebook post.

Chiang said he has received information on the meeting’s content but not the date, per Tai Sounds. He added that while he intends to honor party commitments, the current timetable falls short of Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen’s (盧秀燕) wish for the KMT to select a candidate by Feb. 19.

Chiang also cited growing frustration among the KMT base in Taichung over the party’s failure to quickly nominate a candidate. His rival, KMT Legislator Yang Chiung-ying (楊瓊瓔), commented on the nomination process, saying only a transparent process can produce a candidate capable of uniting the party, per CNA.

KMT Deputy Secretary-General Lee Che-hua (李哲華) said Saturday that the party has remained in close contact with the teams from Chiang and Yang, per Liberty Times. He said the two sides are gradually forming a consensus and may reach a decision before Feb. 6.

The prolonged nomination process appears to be hurting the KMT, per Storm Media. In a recent Formosa poll, DPP Legislator Ho Hsin-chun (何欣純) surpassed Yang for the first time in recent surveys and narrowed Chiang’s lead to 14 percentage points.

Compared with Yang, Chiang consolidated more KMT-leaning voters, attracted more undecided voters, drew support from TPP backers, and remained relatively competitive among younger voters. Among KMT-leaning respondents, Chiang’s support was three times higher than Yang’s, while his favorability rating was nearly five times higher.

In a comparison of competency ratings among Chiang, Ho, and Yang, Chiang received a 49.7% rating, while Ho and Yang received 33.9% and 25.7%, respectively. The poll was conducted Jan. 21–23 among 1,069 respondents and had a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points at a 95% confidence level.

Adding to Yang’s challenges, former Taichung Mayor Hu Chih-chiang (胡志強) publicly endorsed Chiang. Hu cited his previous support for Chiang during his mayoral bid against Lu eight years ago, per China Times. Yang responded that while Hu has expressed approval for both candidates in the past, choosing Chiang now was “cruel.”

Rumors surrounding the slow nomination process have circulated among KMT supporters, per UDN. A pro-KMT academic said that because Taichung is considered a stronghold for the party, a candidate should have been selected already. Instead, the party remains mired in negotiations between the two contenders.

The scholar suggested the delay may be tied to political considerations involving KMT Chair Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) or Lu. Local sources alleged the prolonged process could be intended to pressure Lu’s eventual successor to pledge loyalty.

A local KMT insider cautioned that while conspiracy theories may be unfounded, continued delays will further erode trust in the party’s leadership. The insider warned that both party consolidation and supporter mobilization could be at risk.