Lai Ching-te backs Ho Hsin-chun in Taichung mayoral race

President and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson Lai Ching-te personally attended the campaign headquarters inauguration rally for Taichung mayoral candidate Ho Hsin-chun today (the 12th), publicly expressing his full support for her. President Lai's presence not only symbolizes the highest-level party endorsement of Ho, but also demonstrates the DPP's intention to target the special municipality of Taichung as a major battleground in this year's local elections. In his speech at the rally, President Lai emphasized that "Taichung is the center of national development, and the DPP must give back to its citizens with better governance and services," while urging party members and volunteers to throw themselves into the campaign, highlighting the ruling party's mobilization efforts at the local level.

As Taiwan's second-largest city with a population exceeding three million, Taichung holds significant economic and cultural influence. Since the 2018 local elections, the mayoralty of Taichung has been held by Lu Show-yen of the Kuomintang (KMT), leaving the DPP relatively weak in terms of seats in the city council and at the municipal level. The results of the 2022 local elections showed that Taichung voters' expectations for urban governance, transportation, and public infrastructure continue to rise, intensifying the competition among political parties in the area. Consequently, this year's mayoral election is seen as a weather vane for examining shifts in urban voters' mentalities between the two parties, and it may also impact the reshuffling of the national political landscape.

Ho Hsin-chun is a DPP legislator who has served on multiple legislative committees, accumulating considerable attention and practical experience regarding public infrastructure and social welfare issues. At the inauguration rally, she launched the slogan "Building a Sustainable City through a Youthful Perspective," advocating for accelerated public transportation, an increased share of green energy, and enhanced community care. President Lai's personal support not only injects party resources into Ho's campaign, but also sends a message to the outside world regarding the DPP's strategic determination in Taichung, hoping to break the KMT's traditional dominance in the area with fresh blood and new policy proposals. If Ho can successfully connect with the needs of young voters and the middle class, she is expected to create the possibility of a third force within the traditional pan-blue and pan-green polarized landscape.

In contrast, KMT mayoral candidate Chiang Chi-chen held a mobilization rally for his "Sea Dragon Frogman Support Association" on the same day, declaring that he would safeguard Taichung with the spirit of the "Sea Dragon Frogman." Chiang is a former legislative vice president and a senior party heavyweight with extensive political experience in cross-strait policies and economic development. The "Sea Dragon Frogman" refers to an elite unit of the Republic of China Marine Corps known for its mobility and tenacity; Chiang used this metaphor to describe the combat attitude of his campaign team, intending to rally the enthusiasm and loyalty of volunteers both within and outside the party. At the mobilization rally, he emphasized that "safeguarding Taichung means safeguarding Taiwan's future," and called on supporters to use military-style organization and discipline to help him secure a dominant position in the election.

The deployment of both parties in the Taichung mayoral battle reflects the overall trend of this year's national local elections. Under the leadership of Lai Ching-te, the DPP is actively leveraging the presidential image to boost local candidates, attempting to make breakthroughs in cities with deep-rooted pan-blue foundations; the KMT, relying on Chiang Chi-chen's senior image and organized support associations, expects to counter the DPP's mobilization with "hard power." Pre-election polls indicate that Taichung voters' concern for governance effectiveness and the city's future development has increased, making evaluations of candidates' policy proposals and personal images key factors in voting. If the DPP can successfully combine national policies with local needs, it may create a "blue-to-green reversal" in Taichung; conversely, if the KMT's support associations can effectively mobilize grassroots organizations and traditional strongholds, it is expected to maintain its leading advantage in the special municipality.

Looking at the overall picture, the interactions between Lai Ching-te and Chiang Chi-chen are not only a clash on the individual political stage, but also a microcosm of the two major parties competing for the legitimacy of governance over the next four years. The outcome of the Taichung mayoral election will directly impact the evaluation of each party's performance in local governance, and will indirectly reflect on the political dynamics leading up to the 2024 presidential election.