Lai Jui-lung Leads by Double Digits in Internal Polls; DPP Aims for Kaohsiung Council Majority

The upcoming 2026 Kaohsiung mayoral election is a critical battleground for both major political parties. Internal assessments within the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) indicate their candidate, Lai Jui-lung, maintains a comfortable double-digit lead of around 10% over the Kuomintang's Ko Chih-en. This lead, according to party strategists, is crucial, as a close race could potentially galvanize DPP supporters and create a sense of urgency.

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The internal assessment shows that Lai Jui-lung maintains a double-digit lead of about 10% over Kuomintang candidate Ko Chih-en.

However, the DPP's strategic focus extends beyond the mayoral race. Their paramount objective is to achieve a majority in the Kaohsiung City Council, aiming to secure at least 34 seats. This contrasts with the previous election, where the DPP secured 27 seats and relied on independent councilors to form a majority. A decisive win in the council would streamline future local governance and policy implementation.

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The biggest goal for winning this election is not individual vote count, but to drive the DPP's city council seats in Kaohsiung to exceed 34 seats and achieve a majority.

President Lai Ching-te, who also chairs the DPP, issued a stark warning about potential interference from Beijing. He highlighted intelligence suggesting the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) intent to meddle in Taiwan's 2026 local elections, particularly in Kaohsiung. Tactics reportedly include spreading disinformation about Lai Jui-lung's capabilities and the DPP's internal unity, as well as fabricating poll results to suggest a narrow victory margin. The party anticipates a surge in fake videos and misinformation campaigns leading up to the election.

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The CCP's secret orders from Beidaihe are to intervene in Taiwan's 2026 local elections, especially influencing the Kaohsiung election.

Despite potential external interference and the usual challenges of transferring incumbent popularity, the DPP's campaign is building momentum. Local feedback suggests that reports of a tight race have instead spurred a crisis awareness among supporters, fostering greater unity and spontaneous efforts to defend the campaign. Grassroots mobilization, including the establishment of support groups and local outreach, remains robust. The party is committed to a cautious approach, strengthening its defenses against election interference and disinformation while continuing its ground game.

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Fake news, such as 'Lai Jui-lung cannot handle the big picture' or 'DPP has not yet integrated successfully,' and fake polls claiming 'Lai Jui-lung will not win by more than 1%,' are likely to be followed by more fake videos and disinformation.