TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The opposition KMT is mounting an early push to flip Kaohsiung, turning November’s local elections into a prelude to the 2028 presidential race, Nikkei Asia reported Saturday.
Posters for KMT candidate Ko Chih-en (柯志恩) have appeared across the southern city, an important port and industrial hub. Kaohsiung has long been a DPP stronghold.
Ko, a 63-year-old legislator with a background in educational psychology, launched her campaign in October with a pledge to deliver a “resounding victory.” Her slogans — “New Mayor, New Vision” and “This Ko is different” — are a playful reference to TPP founder Ko Wen-je (柯文哲), who faces corruption charges.
Although local races in Taiwan often center on personalities and patronage networks, the stakes this year reach far beyond the city hall. The results will shape momentum, party morale, and candidate positioning next year.
Kaohsiung is a key prize for both camps. The DPP has nominated three-term legislator Lai Jui-lung (賴瑞隆), 52, hoping to defend its southern base against a KMT comeback.
Councilor Chang Po-yang (張博洋) said Ko Chih-en’s high-energy style could make the race competitive despite the DPP’s traditional edge. “If Ko wins Kaohsiung, it will be a political bombshell for Lai and the DPP in the 2028 presidential race,” he said.
The KMT is campaigning under new Chair Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文), who has pushed for a reset in cross-strait ties. She has argued that accepting the “1992 Consensus” would ease tensions with Beijing and make rapid increases in defense spending unnecessary.
“Voting for Ko Chih-en is the same as voting for Cheng Li-wun,” Cheng told reporters during a visit to the south. She said Ko is backed not only by her but by “the entire KMT team.”
The DPP has framed the race as a choice between safeguarding Taiwan’s sovereignty and moving closer to China. DPP Secretary-General Hsu Kuo-yung (徐國勇) accused former president Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) of being “completely pro-China” and weakening defense by shelving a submarine program and cutting compulsory military service to four months.
Hsu said the ruling party must highlight its economic record to win over centrist voters. “We must communicate our achievements to convince swing voters,” he said, pointing to rising per capita income and strong growth driven by Taiwan’s world-leading semiconductor industry.
Official data showed that GDP grew 8.68% last year, with a solid growth forecast for this year. The DPP argues that diversifying trade toward Southeast Asia and the US has strengthened the economy and reduced reliance on China.
Still, analysts said local factors may matter more than geopolitics for many voters. Chen Tsung-yen (陳宗巖) of National Sun Yat-sen University said candidate image and constituency work often outweigh global issues.
He noted that trade deals and Taiwan’s ties with partners such as the US and Japan could influence undecided voters at the margins.
