Luo Xiuyan and Chen Chi-mai Lose! The Top-Trending County Mayor in Taiwan is 'Him': Positive Image and Impactful Policies Secure Stable No. 1 Spot

Around elections or amid policy controversies, online visibility of Taiwan’s county and city mayors often fluctuates significantly. From policy announcements and construction scandals to personal image, even a single incident can quickly ignite public debate. In today’s era of rapid social media dissemination, a single statement or decision by a county mayor can become a nationwide talking point.

According to the 'Taiwan County and City Mayors Public Opinion Ranking' by DailyView Network Temperature Index (analysis period: June 9, 2026 – July 8, 2026), Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an claimed first place with an overwhelming 1,153,000 online mentions, far outpacing other local leaders. Which mayors are capturing the most public attention? Let’s unveil the rankings.

Top 10 County Mayors by Online Visibility

| Rank | Mayor | Online Mentions | |------|-------|-----------------| | 1 | Chiang Wan-an | 1,153,000 | | 2 | Yau Ching-ling | 166,491 | | 3 | Lu Hsiu-yen | 163,264 | | 4 | Kao Hung-an | 106,821 | | 5 | Chen Chi-mai | 82,458 | | 6 | Huang Wei-cher | 62,665 | | 7 | Chang Shan-cheng | 39,328 | | 8 | Hou Yu-ih | 33,032 | | 9 | Hsu Shu-hua | 14,369 | | 10 | Hsieh Kuo-liang | 13,641 |

※ Note: This table is reconstructed based on image data from the original source.

TOP 3: Lu Hsiu-yen

Taichung Mayor Lu Hsiu-yen secured third place with 163,264 mentions, narrowly trailing second-place Yau Ching-ling by fewer than 4,000 mentions, indicating fierce online competition.

First elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022, Lu has long focused on Taichung’s local development, cultivating a down-to-earth and pragmatic public image. As Taiwan’s second-largest city, Taichung naturally attracts high media exposure, and Lu has accumulated significant visibility through infrastructure projects, traffic improvements, and city marketing initiatives.

Notably, while Lu maintains relatively high approval ratings, she has faced criticism from citizens and environmental groups over air quality issues and delays in certain transportation projects. Air pollution remains a persistent pain point for Taichung. Despite ongoing mitigation efforts by the city government, public dissatisfaction remains visible online.

Her Positive Influence PR score of 57 indicates above-average positive sentiment, but lags behind Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-cher (PR 86), suggesting a non-negligible proportion of neutral or negative online sentiment.

TOP 2: Yau Ching-ling

Taitung County Mayor Yau Ching-ling ranked second with 166,491 mentions—an impressive feat for a county-level leader, surpassing several mayors of special municipalities.

First elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022, Yau is one of Taitung’s most recognizable leaders in recent years, known for actively promoting tourism and indigenous culture. As a key eastern gateway for tourism in Taiwan, the county leader’s policy moves naturally attract nationwide attention.

Overall, Yau’s high visibility has been largely driven by controversial topics. For future governance and electoral strategy, the key challenge will be converting public attention into sustained positive reputation.

TOP 1: Chiang Wan-an

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an claimed first place with 1,153,000 mentions—an astonishing figure nearly seven times that of runner-up Yau Ching-ling and second-place Lu Hsiu-yen, marking a clear dominance.

Born into a political family as the grandson of former President Chiang Ching-kuo, Chiang was elected Taipei mayor in 2022, succeeding Ko Wen-je in leading Taiwan’s capital. As the nation’s political, economic, and media hub, Taipei ensures that any move or public statement by its mayor attracts widespread national discussion—granting Chiang a natural advantage in visibility.

The most discussed keyword this period was 're-election,' indicating that speculation over Chiang’s potential 2026 re-election bid sparked extensive online debate. Related news, commentary, and predictions spread across media and social platforms, significantly boosting his visibility. Electoral politics remains one of the hottest triggers in Taiwan’s online discourse, and this re-election narrative was the key driver behind his top ranking.

In terms of positive influence, Chiang achieved a score of 2.96 and a perfect PR score of 100—the highest among all mayors—indicating that not only is his volume massive, but the proportion and impact of positive sentiment online are also unmatched. This reflects effective image management.

Supporters praise Chiang’s relatively moderate demeanor and steady governance, crediting him with maintaining Taipei’s administrative efficiency as the capital. His efforts in urban development and cultural events have also received favorable reviews.

However, criticism persists. Some netizens argue that Chiang’s policies are too conservative, lacking bold reform initiatives. He is seen as insufficiently proactive in addressing long-standing issues like slow urban renewal and inadequate last-mile public transport connectivity. Others criticize his ambiguous stance on certain political issues, making it difficult for voters to grasp his policy positions—resulting in a public perception of 'high likability but low clarity.'

Source: Network Temperature Index 'Taiwan County and City Mayors Public Opinion Ranking'