Cabinet Member Stirs Political Storm After Releasing Data on 360,000 Crew Members

Democratic Progressive Party Taipei mayoral candidate Shen Po-yang recently shared important views regarding his campaign strategy and supporter demographics, revealing that the total number of "crew members" currently participating in related political actions and support networks has reached approximately 360,000. Notably, nearly 50 percent of these individuals are registered voters or residents in Taipei City. This data has not only attracted high-level political attention but also directly shattered the long-standing stereotype held by outsiders that specific political rallies are mostly mobilized via tour buses from other counties and cities, or driven largely by spillover effects from supporters elsewhere. As the mayoral race in the capital gradually enters its white-hot stage, precisely mastering and expanding grassroots organizational strength has become a critical battleground for victory across all camps.

Since their inception, the Taipei "Great Ocean Current" motorcade street-sweeping campaigns and related offline mobilization events have continually attracted large numbers of supporters calling themselves "little water droplets" to participate enthusiastically. Whenever the motorcade passes through major thoroughfares or business districts in Taipei, it consistently generates significant discussion and buzz. However, as the scale of the events continues to expand, dissenting voices have begun to emerge within political and public opinion circles, with outside observers inevitably expressing concern and questioning whether these enthusiastic faces are mostly cross-regionally mobilized from other counties and cities, potentially offering limited substantive translation effects for the local Taipei election. Faced with these whispers and doubts, Shen chose to take the opportunity of a media interview to publicly release core data to clear up confusion and directly respond to external concerns regarding the composition of his support groups.

According to the internal data and observations disclosed by Shen in the interview, the total number of supporters within the overall Great Ocean Current support and participation system, referred to as "crew members," is approximately 360,000. Among these core and peripheral supporters, the most striking aspect is their geographic distribution, with local residents of Taipei City accounting for nearly half the total proportion. This signifies that a very substantial portion of the momentum originates solidly from the grassroots level of the capital, rather than relying entirely on mobilization from other counties and cities. Such a data structure not only highlights that Shen has established a solid grassroots support network of a certain depth within Taipei City, but also provides a strong morale boost to his campaign pace.

From a macro perspective of campaign strategy, Taipei City has consistently been one of the most indicative and difficult-to-conquer electoral districts in Taiwan's political landscape. With a diverse voter structure, intertwined influences from clan associations and community groups, and intense tug-of-war dynamics among the traditional pan-blue, pan-green, and white forces, any candidate must face the dual test of local identity and cross-regional mobilization. The Shen campaign's community-oriented operation of "crew members" and "little water droplets" has successfully coalesced a group of supporters with a high degree of loyalty and agency. The data showing that nearly 50 percent are Taipei locals indicates that this mobilization model, intertwining digital and physical methods, has successfully penetrated the capital's neighborhoods and communities, attracting Taipei citizens who identify with his ideals to actually throw themselves into action.

As the campaign progresses, these 360,000 crew members and the nearly 50 percent Taipei-based local support force behind them will become crucial backing for the Shen campaign to break through in a triangular or multi-party contest. Beyond existing online visibility and community cohesion, how to further translate this enthusiasm into actual votes at the ballot box will test the campaign team's organizational warfare and ground game capabilities. The public release of this data is not only a brilliant counterattack against external doubts, but also portends that the subsequent Taipei mayoral race will be a high-intensity contest relying even more heavily on precise data and deep grassroots cultivation.