TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The KMT on Wednesday nominated its candidates for New Taipei mayor, Yilan County magistrate, and Chiayi City mayor.

During a committee meeting, the party selected former Taipei Deputy Mayor Lee Shu-chuan (李四川) for New Taipei, lawmaker Wu Tsung-hsien (吳宗憲) for Yilan County, and cardiologist Weng Shou-liang (翁壽良) for Chiayi City, per CNA.

KMT Chair Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) praised each candidate, highlighting Lee’s role in facilitating Nvidia’s overseas headquarters deal, Wu’s prosecutorial experience, and the work of KMT incumbent Chiayi Mayor Huang Min-hui (黃敏惠) in consolidating local factions.

Lee emphasized his experience in governance, noting three major challenges for New Taipei: declining birth rates, an aging population, and urban renewal. He said future cooperation between Taipei and New Taipei would be crucial.

Although Wu was not raised in Yilan County, he pledged to devote his knowledge to improving the county, per Liberty Times. He proposed building on the foundation laid by outgoing Yilan County Magistrate Lin Tzu-miao (林姿妙) to strengthen the county’s free school lunch program.

Weng stressed continuity in Chiayi City, pledging to maintain programs under Huang and tackle low birth rates as a major priority for his administration.

With the TPP also fielding candidates in these municipalities, the KMT plans to negotiate with the TPP to explore joint candidates for the 2026 local elections.

TPP New Taipei mayoral candidate Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) expressed hope that the contest between him and Lee remains civil, per Liberty Times. Lee said cooperation between the two parties could be possible if their visions align, but how the candidates work together would be a matter for the parties to decide, per ETtoday.

Lee is currently facing scrutiny over his younger brother, who has been accused of extortion and other crimes. Lee said his brother, as an adult, must be responsible for his own actions, but he would not sever ties for electoral advantage.

Internet commentator 4XCat (四叉貓) highlighted Lee’s financial disclosures from 2017–2018, noting he earned millions while serving as a civil servant without selling real estate, per Storm Media. Lee responded by encouraging authorities to investigate if any wrongdoing occurred, per UDN.