TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The DPP is considering nominating party Spokesperson Han Ying (韓瑩) as its candidate in the Yilan mayoral election.
After naming Lin Kuo-chang (林國漳), head of President Lai Ching-te (賴清德)’s Yilan support organization, as its candidate for Yilan County magistrate, the party has yet to announce its pick for mayor, per TVBS. Sources said the DPP approached Han about a potential run as early as the Lunar New Year, and she could resign from her spokesperson role by the end of March to prepare for the race.
DPP Yilan County Branch Chair Chiu Chia-chin (邱嘉進) said discussions are ongoing and the party expects to finalize its candidate by the end of the month, per ETtoday. He added that Han is among those under consideration.
Han, a nephew of Minister Without Portfolio Chen Chin-te (陳金德), grew up in Yilan before studying economics at Fu Jen Catholic University. She later worked as a journalist and joined the DPP as a spokesperson, also handling international affairs and serving as a board member of the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy.
A DPP insider said Yilan remains a challenging battleground for the party, citing voter preference for the KMT and incumbent Mayor Chen Mei-ling (陳美玲)’s re-election bid, per FTV. With limited local contenders willing to run, the party has explored candidates from outside traditional local factions.
Another source said Han’s policy experience could help counter the KMT magistrate candidate, Legislator Wu Tsung-hsien (吳宗憲), by aligning the campaign more closely with central government priorities. Local observers said running Han and Lin in separate races could create a complementary strategy across Yilan city and county, combining Lin’s outsider appeal with Han’s political experience.
With Han pursuing graduate studies in economics at National Taiwan University, and Lin’s campaign advised by an NTU economist, the DPP is expected to emphasize economic policy in its campaign strategy across the two municipalities.
DPP Yilan County Councilor Chen Wen-chang (陳文昌) said Han would be a strong contender if nominated, per SETN. However, KMT Councilor Lin Yueh-hsien (林岳賢) said the incumbent mayor’s performance could make the race difficult for challengers.
