Chen Ting-fei of the Democratic Progressive Party holds a commanding position in the Tainan mayoral race ahead of the November 28, 2026, vote, driven by strong party organizational support in a traditional green-leaning city and her established grassroots network as a sitting legislator. Recent candidate registration in early September confirmed a four-way contest featuring Kuomintang legislator Hsieh Lung-chieh as the main challenger, alongside minor-party and independent entrants. Chen has emphasized policy continuity on infrastructure, tourism corridors, welfare alignment with other municipalities, and regional development, while highlighting her potential to become the city’s first female mayor. Hsieh has focused on opposition consolidation through blue-white coordination and a one-term pledge. Late-September polling simulations showed Chen leading by roughly 10 points overall, with narrower gaps among swing voters, reflecting trader consensus on structural DPP advantages and limited recent shifts in the campaign environment.