TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A new TVBS survey released on Tuesday (Jan. 7) reveals a tight competition between Deputy Legislative Speaker Johnny Chiang (江啟臣) and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨) legislator Tsai Chi-chang (蔡其昌). Chiang leads with 43% support compared to Tsai's 36%, leaving 22% of voters undecided.
As the 2026 Taichung mayoral race approaches, the TVBS Poll Center also found that Chiang would achieve a decisive victory if the DPP nominated legislator Ho Hsin-chun (何欣純) or Minister of Transportation and Communications Chen Shih-kai (陳世凱) instead. Chiang garners 50% support against Ho's 26%, and 53% against Chen's 21%, with significant portions of voters still uncertain in each scenario.
Cross-analysis highlights age-related support differences, with Tsai leading among voters aged 30-39, securing 57% compared to Chiang's 33%. Conversely, Chiang holds more than 50% support among voters over 40. Party allegiance also plays a role, as 81% of DPP supporters back Tsai, while 83% of KMT supporters favor Chiang. Among Taiwan People's Party (TPP, 民眾黨) supporters, 56% lean towards Chiang, with only 24% supporting Tsai.
TVBS conducted the survey from Dec. 26 to Jan. 6, using a random sampling method via landline, with 806 respondents aged 20 and above across Taichung's districts. The survey highlights the competitive nature of the upcoming election and the potential shifts in voter preferences.