DPP names its candidates for New Taipei, Miaoli County local elections

Taipei, Nov. 26 (CNA) Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) on Wednesday officially named Su Chiao-hui (蘇巧慧) as its candidate for the New Taipei mayoral race, and Chen Pin-an (陳品安) as its candidate for the Miaoli County magistrate race in the 2026 local elections.

At a press conference, Taiwan President and DPP Chairman Lai Ching-te (賴清德) announced the nominations after they were approved by the party's Central Executive Committee on Wednesday.

Su, 49, is the daughter of former Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) and has represented a New Taipei district in the Legislature since 2016. She may face Taipei Deputy Mayor Lee Shu-chuan (李四川) of the Kuomintang (KMT), who is widely expected to run.

Su said she was ready for the campaign, while Chen thanked the DPP for "giving such a precious chance to a young person" like herself.

Chen, 41, has served as a Miaoli County councilor since 2018.

Both candidates will be contesting longtime KMT strongholds.

The KMT has controlled New Taipei -- formerly Taipei County -- since 2005, while Miaoli County has elected only KMT or KMT-aligned independent magistrates since the county's establishment in 1950.

The KMT said on Wednesday that its first batch of nominations will likely be finalized between January and February 2026.

Taiwan's next local elections are scheduled to take place on Nov. 28, 2026.