Shi Fang, Liu Ziling, and Huang Wenshen sweep streets, fueling election heat

As the campaign enters its crucial final sprint, all political camps are stepping up their support efforts. Beyond traditional endorsements from heavyweight politicians, spouses and family members often exert unexpected soft power and approachability. Shih Fang-ken, wife of Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an, and Liu Tzu-ling, wife of Kuomintang (KMT) Taichung mayoral candidate Chiang Chi-chen, will team up for the first time this afternoon (the 9th) to campaign by sweeping through a dusk market in Taichung. This cross-regional "spouse diplomacy" not only symbolizes cross-county solidarity and cooperation within the blue camp, but also pushes campaign fervor to a peak, demonstrating a strong ambition and action plan to stabilize grassroots support.

Regarding this highly anticipated joint itinerary by the candidates' wives, Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen gave high praise and affirmation during a media interview. Lu bluntly stated that both Shih Fang-ken and Liu Tzu-ling are the "strongest trump cards" in the hearts of their respective husbands. She observed that these usually low-profile candidate spouses display immense resilience and drive to help their husbands win voter support and recognition, letting go of their status to delve into the most down-to-earth traditional markets and using the most sincere smiles and handshakes to capture the hearts of every vendor and citizen. She noted that this all-out spirit is deeply moving and will definitely provide a substantial boost to the campaign.

Dusk markets have always been battlegrounds for grassroots politicians in Taiwan, as they not only gather crowds and exude a strong atmosphere of ordinary life, but also serve as the core venue where homemakers and local residents purchase dinner ingredients. Shih Fang-ken and Liu Tzu-ling chose this location as the first stop of their joint canvassing, a move with high strategic value. While vendors and homemakers in traditional markets may keep their distance from political rallies, they tend to drop their guard when encountering candidates' wives who project a gentle and amiable image, and are more willing to offer encouragement and warm interactions. Such close-range contact effectively bridges the communication gaps that large-scale rallies cannot reach, narrowing the psychological distance with voters.

From the perspective of overall party strategic deployment, Chiang Wan-an, as a key middle-generation political star in the blue camp and the mayor of the capital, commands high attention for his cross-county campaigning energy. Shih Fang-ken traveling south to Taichung on behalf of Chiang not only expresses steadfast support for Chiang Chi-chen's campaign, but also serves as an important symbol of establishing a cross-regional joint defense line. Chiang Chi-chen has cultivated deep roots in Taichung for many years, and his administrative achievements and legislative performance are evident to all. This time, his wife Liu Tzu-ling joins forces with Chiang Wan-an's wife to boost each other's momentum through the unique gentle traits and firm will of women, sending a strong signal to the outside world that the KMT is united and determined to win in key constituencies.

As the election enters a white-hot stage, voters' fatigue with verbal sparring and political antagonism is deepening, leading them to place even greater value on the sincerity and substance demonstrated by candidates and their teams. The deployment of the "spouse card" aligns precisely with this shift in the political atmosphere, bypassing serious policy debates and instead showcasing the warm side of candidates through everyday greetings and well wishes. The joint street-sweeping campaign by Shih Fang-ken and Liu Tzu-ling in Taichung is not only a successful mobilization event, but also injects a soft yet firm force into Taiwan's democratic electoral support culture, with its subsequent effects deserving continued observation.

(Source: Central News Agency)