Lu Show-yan and Hou Yu-ih back Ko Chih-en in Kaohsiung mayoral race

In this year's local elections, while mayoral races in major metropolitan areas such as Tainan, Taipei, and Taichung are already fiercely contested, the Kaohsiung mayoral election has emerged as the most crucial focal point. As a major economic hub in the south, Kaohsiung also serves as a watershed for the competition between the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) across the north and south. Ever since the KMT's defeat in the Kaohsiung mayoral election in 2004 (Note: historical context in original text), the party has consistently failed to regain the Kaohsiung mayoral seat. Meanwhile, the DPP maintained its advantage when Lai Ching-te secured the position by a significant margin in the 2018 election and retained momentum ahead of the 2024 election cycle. Consequently, the Kaohsiung mayoral election is not merely a contest of local party strength, but is widely viewed as a bellwether for the nationwide political trend.

Tonight, KMT candidate Ko Chih-en held a "Gangshan Rally" event in Kaohsiung's Gangshan District, inviting heavyweight pan-Blue figures such as Taichung Mayor Lu Show-yen and New Taipei Mayor Hou You-yi to show their support. The event took place at the Gangshan District Civic Center, running from approximately seven to nine in the evening. In her speech, Ko emphasized that "Kaohsiung's development is not only about the economy, but also about social equity and environmental sustainability," mentioning plans to promote public transport upgrades, enhance urban greening, and strengthen community services. Lu expressed support on-site for Ko's "vision of shared governance" and called for pan-Blue solidarity to break the DPP's long-term rule in Kaohsiung. Hou offered support based on his "practical experience in local governance," pointing out the importance of cross-county cooperation in boosting Kaohsiung's competitiveness. The atmosphere throughout the event was enthusiastic, with the audience largely consisting of party volunteers and local community residents. An instant polling mechanism was also set up on-site to encourage citizens to express their support via mobile voting.

Ko Chih-en's electoral strategy focuses primarily on infrastructure and economic development. As a former Minister of National Defense and member of the National Development Council, Ko is regarded within the party as a representative of the "pragmatic faction," advocating for convincing voters with tangible results. In recent years, she has faced internal party divergences regarding her policy direction, particularly on issues concerning urban renewal and industrial zone transformation. During the Gangshan rally, Ko proposed the "Kaohsiung Industrial Upgrade Plan," which plans investments in semiconductors, green energy, and smart cities, and pledged to complete the extension projects of three expressways during her mayoral term to shorten commuting times between Taipei and Kaohsiung. This move is intended not only to boost Kaohsiung's economic competitiveness, but also serves as a critical point in securing broader support within the pan-Blue camp.

On the other hand, DPP candidate Lai Jui-lung unveiled his second wave of fundraising merchandise today and announced that he will hold his "campaign headquarters establishment rally" tomorrow. The fundraising items shared by Lai on social media include eco-friendly bags printed with the slogan "Kaohsiung Green Future," reusable water bottles, and limited-edition "Kaohsiung Mayoral Election" T-shirts, aiming to attract support from young voters and environmental groups. Mentioning the campaign during his activities, Lai stated that this second wave of fundraising will focus on "youth participation" and "community interaction," with the raised funds channeled into local community events, volunteer training, and youth entrepreneurship subsidies. The campaign headquarters establishment rally will formally organize the election team, establish electoral strategies, divide constituency responsibilities, and recruit volunteers, while also unveiling Lai's five key priorities for "Kaohsiung Green Development": upgrading public transportation, expanding renewable energy, strengthening community safety, promoting smart cities, and protecting the coastal environment.

These two events not only demonstrated the organizational strength of their respective parties, but also reflected the profound impact of the Kaohsiung mayoral election on the national political landscape. Ko Chih-en's pan-Blue rally in Kaohsiung sought to break the DPP's long-term advantage in the city through the endorsement of cross-county leaders, using practical experience and infrastructure as selling points to appeal to voters expectant of economic development. Conversely, Lai Jui-lung centered his campaign on youth and environmental protection, utilizing fundraising merchandise and social media to forge an image built around "green, youth, and community."