TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) leads all potential Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨), challengers for the 2026 mayoral election, according to a TVBS poll released Monday (Dec. 8). The survey interviewed 1,006 Taipei residents from Wednesday (Nov. 27) to Wednesday (Dec. 4) with a sampling error of ±3.1 percentage points. Chiang maintains majority support regardless of which DPP candidate enters the race for Taipei's top municipal position.
Chiang holds a 24-percentage-point lead over legislator Wang Shih-chien (王世堅), garnering 55% support compared to Wang's 31% in the TVBS survey. Former DPP Taipei Chapter Chair Enoch Wu (吳怡農) trails significantly with 24% support against Chiang's commanding 61%, a 37-point difference. The comprehensive polling reveals Chiang maintains substantial double-digit leads over all potential DPP challengers in the upcoming mayoral race.
Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun (鄭麗君) faces a 38-point deficit, securing 24% support against Chiang's commanding 62% in the survey. Legislator Puma Shen (沈伯洋) trails significantly with 22% support compared to Chiang's 64%, creating a substantial 42-point gap. Former Keelung Mayor Lin Yu-chang (林右昌) records the weakest performance among DPP contenders, with 19% support, compared to Chiang's 65%, a 46-point margin.
DPP supporters overwhelmingly favor Wang as their preferred mayoral candidate with 69% backing, according to the detailed polling data. Kuomintang, KMT (國民黨), supporters overwhelmingly support incumbent Chiang with 94%, while 67% of Taiwan People's Party, TPP (民眾黨), supporters also favor him over DPP candidates. Among neutral voters without party affiliation, Chiang holds 44% support, Wang captures 28%, and 28% remain undecided on their preference.
Taipei City Councilor Hsu Shu-hua (許淑華) attributed Chiang's rising approval ratings to Nvidia's high-profile plans for building their Taiwan headquarters in Taipei. She noted Chiang's atypical political profile and background represent important factors for opposition parties considering mayoral nominations and overall campaign strategies. Chiang's consistently high media visibility and strategic political alliances continue to bolster his commanding position as the November 2026 election approaches.
The polling results underscore challenges the DPP faces in Taipei, with Chiang's popularity extending beyond KMT supporters to include TPP voters and multiple age demographics. Taipei's mayoral election will be held Friday (Nov. 28, 2026), coinciding with nationwide elections for county magistrates, city mayors, local councilors, and village chiefs. The simultaneous elections represent Taiwan's comprehensive local government voting day across all municipalities and counties. ◼