KMT's Ko Chih-en Winning Chance in Kaohsiung? Wu Tzu-chia Advises Chiang Wan-an with 'This Big Move': 'Lai Jui-long is Too Weak'

With the 2026 county and city mayoral elections approaching, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an has recently been making frequent political moves. He first raised his voice during the toxic oil scandal, calling on the public to join the July 25 'Anti-Toxic Taiwan' rally on Ketagalan Boulevard. Recently, he has also brought up the issue of a vote of no confidence in the cabinet and praised Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai as a strong candidate for Premier.

In response, Wu Tzu-chia, chairman of Formosa News, during the July 30 episode of his show 'Chairman Speaks,' addressed a viewer's question about whether Chiang Wan-an should spend more time campaigning in southern regions. Wu stated that the KMT has a chance in Kaohsiung because the DPP's mayoral candidate, Lai Jui-long, is 'too weak.'

Tainan and Kaohsiung have long been considered strongholds of the DPP, but recent polls between KMT mayoral candidate Ko Chih-en and her opponent Lai Jui-long show a different picture, making Kaohsiung a key battleground in the 2026 Nine-in-One elections.

During the Q&A segment of the July 30 'Chairman Speaks' episode, a viewer asked whether Chiang Wan-an should spend more time campaigning in Tainan and Kaohsiung, and if winning these districts would boost his public profile. Wu responded that Tainan is 'impossible' and has 'no chance at all.'

Regarding Kaohsiung, Wu said it is 'possible' because the DPP candidate is too weak. He further explained that he had just suggested on the show that Chiang Wan-an should form a 'Chiang's Army' to campaign nationwide, attracting new followers wherever he goes. However, he noted a major internal issue: whether new personnel around Chiang would clash with his existing staff, particularly Yin Wei, Director of Taipei City's Research, Development, and Evaluation Commission.

Yin Wei is a highly intelligent aide who has contributed many ideas helping Chiang Wan-an rise in popularity, but Wu believes he has 'reached his limit.' Wu pointed out that no one in Chiang's current Taipei team has proposed such a 'Chiang's Army' concept. He emphasized that the 'Chiang's Army' must not become a 'Taipei Army' but should evolve into a 'Taiwan Chiang's Army'—inclusive and broad-minded. The proud Yin Wei should remain in Taipei, faithfully serving as an aide or bureau chief, while Chiang Wan-an himself should fly to central and southern Taiwan.

'His goal shouldn't just be Tainan and Kaohsiung,' Wu said. 'He must travel across the entire country, understand every corner of Taiwan, and leave his footprint so that people everywhere can see him. Only then will he be qualified to aim higher.'