DPP's Puma Shen Campaigns in Taichung, Failing to Shake KMT Stronghold

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Taipei mayoral candidate Shen Po-yang arrived in Taichung yesterday to hold a campaign rally in the city center, drawing a significant crowd of onlookers. With Shen's Taipei campaign having entered a white-hot phase, this cross-county and city rally is viewed by outsiders as an opportunity to test his appeal and could potentially create repercussions for the pan-Blue camp's electoral prospects in central Taiwan. Shen previously served as deputy speaker in the Legislative Yuan, possessing a certain degree of political seniority and media exposure. He has favored by some young voters for his outspoken and grassroots-oriented image. The high turnout in Taichung demonstrates that he still holds a certain level of appeal in non-traditional constituencies, though whether it is sufficient to shake the Kuomintang's (KMT) foundation in central Taiwan requires further observation.

Taichung Mayor Lu Hsiow-yen pointed out in an interview that, based on current polls, party mobilization, and past election voting trends, the election prospects for the KMT's two key candidates—Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an and Taichung Mayor Chiang Chi-chen—remain stable. Lu emphasized that Chiang Wan-an, as a representative of the KMT's "youthful light," possesses his family's political capital and legislative experience, having already accumulated considerable support within Taipei. Meanwhile, Chiang Chi-chen is the incumbent Taichung mayor, and his performance in urban construction and public services over the past two years has also won affirmation from many local residents. Citing "comprehensive data" as her basis, Lu implied that even with Shen Po-yang campaigning in Taichung, it has not caused a significant impact on the foundations of the two pan-Blue candidates.

From an electoral history perspective, both Taipei and Taichung have long been traditional strongholds for the KMT. Since the 2018 local elections, the KMT has achieved consecutive victories in the Taipei and Taichung mayoral races, forming a pattern of a "Blue North and Green South." In recent years, the DPP has gradually expanded its council seats in northern cities in an attempt to break the pan-Blue monopoly. Shen's trip north to Taichung is effectively part of the DPP's "cross-regional canvassing" strategy in national elections, aimed at boosting the nationwide visibility of the party's candidates while testing acceptance in traditional pan-Blue strongholds. If he can leave a positive impression in Taichung, it may add points to his overall layout in the national election.

However, Lu Hsiow-yen's response also revealed the KMT's internal confidence regarding the electoral situation. Lu has served as Taichung mayor since 2018, winning recognition from some voters for her "pragmatic" and "people-friendly" governance style, and has continued to promote urban renewal and transportation construction in municipal administration. In her remarks, she mentioned that "various data" include past voter turnout, party mobilization manpower, and recent polling trends, implying that the pan-Blue camp has prepared a defensive layout and will not be easily shaken by a single external campaign event. This statement is not only a response to Shen Po-yang's actions but also sends a message inside and outside the party: even if opponents attempt cross-regional challenges, the KMT still maintains control over its core voters and organizational resources.

Overall, while Shen Po-yang's campaign rally in Taichung successfully attracted crowds, it may not directly rewrite the electoral landscape of Taipei and Taichung cities.