49 Candidates Vie for 20 Yunlin Township and City Mayor Seats, With Half the Races Featuring Three-Way Contests

Yunlin County's 2026 township and city mayor elections have drawn 49 candidates for 20 seats, setting up a fiercely contested campaign across much of the county. With registration complete, political camps are beginning to organize their campaigns and the races are moving into full competition.

Twelve sitting township and city chiefs are seeking another term. They include Lin Chia-hung in Huwei, Liao Chiu-ping in Xiluo, Chen Te-kai in Tuku, Hsiao Mei-wen in Beigang, Lin Hui-ju in Gukeng, Liao Chiu-jung in Citong, Liu Tzu-yen in Linnei, Hsu Chung-fu in Mailiao, Chang Chien-fu in Dongshih, Li Wen-lai in Taixi, Wu Chin-wei in Sihu and Li Lung-fei in Kouhu.

Four Yunlin County councilors are changing political tracks. Lai Shu-hui is running for mayor of Douliu, while Chien Tzu-fang and Yen Chung-yi are both challenging for the Dounan mayoralty. Chang Wei-cheng is returning to the race for township chief in Linnei. The report describes all four as locally established figures whose campaigns are drawing close attention.

The candidate list shows three areas, Huwei, Tuku and Lunbei, with only one registered candidate. Reports have described those candidates as virtually assured of victory, but the Yunlin Election Commission said the law still requires a sole candidate to receive votes from at least 20% of the electorate in the constituency.

Six races, in Xiluo, Gukeng, Linnei, Taixi, Yuanchang and Citong, are two-person contests. Ten others have three-way races: Douliu, Beigang, Dapi, Erlun, Mailiao, Dongshih, Baozhong, Sihu, Kouhu and Shuilin. Dounan has four registered candidates, making it the most crowded contest.