Wang Mei-hui, the Democratic Progressive Party nominee and sitting legislator, holds a commanding lead in trader consensus for the November 28, 2026, Chiayi City mayoral election due to the party’s structural advantages in the city and alignment with central government priorities. Chang Chi-kai, the Taiwan People’s Party candidate backed by KMT-TPP coordination after defeating the KMT primary contender, trails as the main opposition figure but benefits from visible cross-party endorsements, including recent rallies and statements from KMT leadership. A October 12 memorandum on Greater Chiayi policy integration between Chang and a county candidate highlights ongoing opposition efforts to emphasize infrastructure and regional coordination, such as light rail development. Other registered candidates remain marginal in pricing, consistent with limited polling visibility and the two-candidate dynamic dominating the race.