Rain-soaked New Taipei showdown; Su Qiaohui uses culture in Banqiao

The atmosphere of the New Taipei mayoral race remains hot despite continuous rain, showing no sign of being dampened by the weather. Seen as a key prelude to the 2026 nationwide local elections, the contest has prompted frequent moves from potential candidates of the two major camps, each unveiling detailed grassroots‑building strategies. Highly watched KMT Taipei City Deputy Mayor Li Sichuan and DPP legislator Su Qiaohui chose markedly different tactics on the same day to court voters.

Li Sichuan focused on the San‑Ying area—a region where the traditional blue base is relatively stable but still requires careful cultivation. Braving wind and rain, he moved through markets and alleys, projecting the plain‑spoken, down‑to‑earth image of an engineer‑turned‑public servant. In contrast, Su Qiaohui set up a Four‑Major Pharmaceutical Industry Support Group in Banqiao and then appealed to young families by inviting the Paper Windmill Art Truck and Dance Bell Theatre to perform outdoors in the downpour, showcasing strong organizational mobilization and a cultural‑branding advantage.

Choosing San‑Ying as the focal point for his rainy street canvassing carries significant political meaning. The Sanxia and Yingge districts have experienced subtle demographic shifts in recent years as the San‑Ying MRT line advances and the Taipei University Special Zone develops, bringing in not only long‑time residents but also a large influx of young commuters from the twin cities of Taipei and New Taipei. Li, who has long served as an engineering chief in the region—formerly Deputy Mayor of Kaohsiung and now Deputy Mayor of Taipei—has built a reputation for “engineering expertise” and “pragmatism.” Persisting with street canvassing in the rain tests his stamina and will while sending a direct political signal of “no‑showmanship.” This step‑by‑step approach, though traditional, often forges the strongest emotional connections with grassroots voters, especially in an area where local factions and community groups intersect. Li’s affable presence attracted many rain‑soaked passersby who waved and greeted him, effectively reinforcing the KMT’s grassroots cohesion in the district.

In contrast to Li’s conventional door‑to‑door outreach, Su Qiaohui launched a multi‑dimensional attack that combined organizational strength with cultural appeal. Early that morning she inaugurated the Four‑Major Pharmaceutical Industry Support Group, highlighting the DPP’s long‑standing ties with the medical sector and local business circles. The group’s formation not only symbolizes the consolidation of industry backing but also signals that the campaign’s reach now extends into professional fields across the economy, using industry linkages to broaden arguments about economic and social security. Immediately afterward, Su’s camp rolled out a family‑friendly angle, inviting the Paper Windmill Art Truck and Dance Bell Theatre for an outdoor performance. When a sudden downpour arrived, the venue did not empty; instead, numerous parents with children lingered to watch the show in the rain. This blend of artistic performance and political rallying, a hallmark of the DPP’s cultural marketing, softens the seriousness of political competition while precisely targeting the large, influential cohort of young parents in New Taipei.

The rainy political showdown mirrors the structural characteristics of the New Taipei mayoral race and the strategic deployments of the blue and green camps. As Taiwan’s most populous administrative region, New Taipei spans a vast area with pronounced urban‑rural divides and a diverse electorate, making a single tactic insufficient for overall victory. From Banqiao’s pharmaceutical support group and family theatre to San‑Ying’s market‑alley canvassing, Su Qiaohui and Li Sichuan respectively embody the DPP’s deep organizational roots and the KMT’s grassroots image. Su brings congressional experience as a sitting legislator and a well‑established constituency base, seeking to craft a comprehensive, progressive, and vibrant city vision through policy proposals, industry networking, and cultural events. Li leverages his extensive administrative experience and decisive civil‑service image to attract voters eager for tangible construction projects and efficient governance. Both sides have demonstrated high‑intensity campaign mobility despite adverse weather, indicating that the contest has entered a heated phase.

From a broader perspective, the 2026 New Taipei mayoral election is not only the transition of power after incumbent Mayor Hou You‑yi completes two terms but also a crucial pre‑election battleground for the blue, green and white parties ahead of the 2028 presidential race. Outcomes in New Taipei often sway the national political landscape, so whether the KMT can retain its governing role in the city or the DPP can achieve the historic “reclaim New Taipei” mission beyond the Taipei metropolitan core has drawn nationwide attention from the outset. Although Li Sichuan and Su Qiaohui have not yet formally announced participation in party primaries or a full‑scale campaign, exploratory moves, rallies and issue‑based attacks have already unfolded. In this rain‑soaked canvassing test of endurance and adaptability, both camps displayed distinct mobilization charms and political styles, offering an early preview of a high‑tension, all‑sided electoral battle that is set to intensify in the coming months.

(Source: Central News Agency)