DPP Local Party Chairperson Elections: Uncontested Races in 16 Counties/Cities, Kaohsiung's Moves Closely Watched

(CNA Reporter Wen Kuei-hsiang, Taipei, 18th) Registration for the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) local party chairperson elections has closed for all counties and cities except Kaohsiung City, which will open registration next week. This election is crucial for the auxiliary election system of the 2026 local elections. There are uncontested races in 16 counties and cities, with 8 newcomers entering the succession process. The movements of Taipei City Legislator Wu Pei-yi and Kaohsiung City Legislator Huang Jie are attracting much attention.

The DPP's party delegates and local party chairpersons are elected every two years. According to the DPP's plan, the current registration period was open from April 13 to April 17. The schedule for Kaohsiung City is later, with registration expected to begin next week, and a unified voting day on May 24.

According to DPP statistics, the local party chairperson elections in 16 out of 22 counties and cities nationwide are currently uncontested. Another 5 counties and cities have two or more competing teams. Kaohsiung City is scheduled to begin registration next week, and subsequent developments have become a focal point of observation.

Among the 16 counties and cities with uncontested races, 8 incumbent party chairpersons are seeking re-election, including Su Chiao-hui in New Taipei City, Hsu Mu-kuei in Taichung City, Chiu Chia-chin in Yilan County, Chen Shih-hsien in Miaoli County, Chang Yu-chen in Taitung County, Lin Ming-chih in Keelung City, Shih Nai-ju in Hsinchu City, and Li Che-yu in Lienchiang County.

The 8 counties and cities where newcomers are vying to take over as party chairpersons include Wu Pei-yi in Taipei City, Su Jen-chien in Hsinchu County, Hsieh Tsui-ping in Changhua County, Wu Chi-nan in Nantou County, Tsai Yung-fu in Yunlin County, Hsu Fu-kuei in Pingtung County, Chen Ching-li in Hualien County, and Yu Teng-hung in Kinmen County.

Party insiders pointed out that in the counties and cities with uncontested races, some are incumbent chairpersons seeking re-election, while others are new successors, focusing overall on a stable layout. The counties and cities with competing teams reflect local factional dynamics and layout struggles, indicating relatively intense competition.

Five counties and cities have two competing teams: incumbent chairperson Kuo Kuo-wen faces Lin Chih-chan in Tainan City, Huang Ta-yu faces Hsu Ming-tui in Chiayi City, Chang Huo-lu faces Tang Hui-chen in Taoyuan City, Ho Chia-heng faces Huang Chia-kuan in Chiayi County, and Lu Chang-tsai faces Hsu Kuo-ying in Penghu County.

Regarding Kaohsiung City, incumbent chairperson Huang Wen-yi has announced he will not run again. Rumors in local circles suggest that Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai supports Legislator Huang Jie to take over, and Huang Jie recently revealed she is carefully evaluating the option. Party insiders disclosed that Huang Jie is expected to register on the 21st. Because Kaohsiung City's registration schedule is a week behind other counties and cities, the relevant candidate layouts remain to be observed.