Politics · Other · 3 hrs ago
Taipei mayor Chiang Wan-an faces a tighter re-election race
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an is seeking re-election in Taiwan’s local elections on Nov 28.
Chiang belongs to the Kuomintang, or KMT, and has been in office for four years.
His challenger, DPP candidate Puma Shen, has gained support despite being a relatively inexperienced politician.
In May, one poll put Shen 28 percentage points behind Chiang, but recent polls show a much closer contest, with one putting Shen ahead by 17 points.
The campaign has shifted from a likely Chiang win to a tight race, though polls differ and large rally crowds do not necessarily show how people will vote.
Chiang’s campaign says his record includes free school lunches, transport improvements and efforts to make Taipei smoke-free.
Voters will decide the race on Nov 28, and the sources do not say who is likely to win.
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an is facing a tighter re-election contest against Democratic Progressive Party candidate Puma Shen.
A TVBS poll in late May showed Shen trailing Chiang by 28 percentage points, while later polls showed a much closer race.
One recent poll put Shen 17 percentage points ahead of Chiang, though polling results vary.
Chiang highlighted his administration’s record at a campaign rally on Oct 26 and sought to rally supporters.
The election is scheduled for Nov 28 as part of Taiwan’s nine-in-one local elections.
- Who
- Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an is seeking re-election against DPP candidate Puma Shen.
- What
- Chiang faces a tighter mayoral race after Shen gained support.
- When
- The election is on Nov 28, 2026. Chiang held a campaign rally on Oct 26.
- Where
- Taipei, Taiwan.
- Why
- Shen’s campaign has gained support, narrowing the contest. Recent polls vary, with one showing Shen ahead.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A TVBS poll showed Shen trailing Chiang by 28 percentage points.
Shen’s rallies were packed, and supporters used the phrase “ocean current” to describe the support.
Shen’s campaign office launch drew a crowd that organisers said was 120,000, a figure that was disputed.
Chiang held a campaign rally and apologised to supporters for causing them anxiety about his re-election bid.
Taiwan’s nine-in-one local elections are scheduled to take place.
- Candidates
- Chiang Wan-an and Puma Shen
- Late May poll
- Shen trailed Chiang by 28 percentage points
- One recent poll
- Shen led Chiang by 17 percentage points
- Shen campaign launch
- Organisers claimed 120,000 attendees; the figure was disputed
- Chiang campaign rally
- Chiang’s campaign put attendance at 50,000
- Election date
- Nov 28, 2026
What people are saying
I want to say to everyone, I’m sorry you had to worry about me. I know that sometimes I might be a little too honest. Sometimes I might be a little too boring
I have always served the people, that was why I entered politics. That has never changed, isn’t that right?
While the turnout was indeed smaller than at Puma Shen’s campaign headquarters launch…it’s a big question mark how many attendees at Shen’s event were from Taipei, and how many were from surrounding counties
A big turnout at rallies doesn’t mean Shen will get more votes.