KMT party's next generation top guns set their sights on Taiwan's presidency

The Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) narrow 2024 presidential election win has the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) strategizing its comeback and leadership ahead of the country's 2028 election.

Taiwan's 2024 presidential election was marked by early attempts at opposition unity. For a brief moment, the KMT and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) flirted with an alliance. But as negotiations collapsed, the field settled into a familiar three-way race: the DPP’s Lai Ching-te (賴清德) and Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) emerged victorious with 40.05% of the vote. The KMT’s Hou You-yi (侯友宜) and media veteran Jaw Shaw-kong (趙少康) followed with 33.49%, while the TPP’s Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) and Wu Hsin-ying (吳欣盈) garnered 26.46%.

Though victorious, the DPP’s support base showed signs of vulnerability—raising the stakes for the KMT’s leadership renewal and the potential realignment of Taiwan’s political future.

A key development in the post-election landscape is the burgeoning legislative alliance between the KMT and TPP. Their cooperation, especially during recent recall campaigns, suggests the groundwork for a formidable opposition front. Should this alliance hold, President Lai may face a real threat in 2028.

As the KMT recalibrates its leadership, several figures have emerged as potential presidential contenders.

Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕)

Among potential contenders, Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen stands out as the KMT’s most promising figure.

A three-decade veteran of Taiwanese politics, Lu began her career as a journalist before transitioning into politics in 1994. Elected to the legislature in 1999, she went on to serve six consecutive terms before making a bold leap in 2018—defeating the incumbent from the DPP to become mayor of Taichung, Taiwan’s second-most populous city. Riding on strong public support, she secured reelection in 2022 and is set to complete her second mayoral term by 2026.

Taichung, one of Taiwan’s six special municipalities, is a strategic political, cultural and economic hub in central Taiwan.

Lu’s governance has earned broad approval. In a 2025 "Public Affinity Ratings for Political Figures" survey by Global Views research, Lu ranked first nationwide, outpacing even President Lai, who ranked fourth.

Her cross-demographic appeal is rooted in her background. Lu’s father, originally from Shandong, fought as a Chinese volunteer in the Korean War before resettling in Taiwan. Her mother, from a prominent Hsinchu family, was educated in Japan during the colonial era.

Lu has described herself as a product of peace between historical divides—a symbol of Taiwan’s complex identity.


Lu has built a reputation for both warmth and decisiveness in her governance style. These qualities that have defined her public image since she assumed office as Mayor of Taichung in 2018, and earned her the nickname "Mother Mayor."

Her leadership has been tested by a series of high-profile crises, including the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi gas explosion, the Taichung MRT crane collapse, and fatal bus accidents involving pedestrians. Lu’s administration demonstrated swift crisis response and effective policy follow-ups, further solidifying her standing as a capable leader.

Factional politics are an unavoidable part of Taiwan’s local governance, and Lu has proven adept at navigating them. As mayor, she has skillfully managed intra-faction disputes and succeeded in uniting Taichung’s major local factions behind her administration—an achievement that underscores her political finesse.

Public satisfaction with her performance has been consistently high. In multiple independent surveys measuring mayoral approval across Taiwan’s six special municipalities, Lu has frequently ranked among the top, earning strong endorsement from Taichung’s residents.

Her gender, cross-provincial heritage, extensive political experience, adeptness at navigating local power structures, and widespread popularity at both the national and local levels all contribute to her strong competitiveness as a potential presidential candidate.

However, she is not without vulnerabilities—most notably, her limited experience in central government administration and the local nature of her current political team. Whether she can withstand the scrutiny of a national campaign remains an open question.

Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安)

Chiang Wan-an, the current mayor of Taipei, is widely regarded as one of the Kuomintang’s (KMT) most promising successors—second only to Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen in terms of political momentum and national visibility.

Holding the Taipei mayoralty gives Chiang a powerful platform unmatched by most political peers. As the capital and nerve center of Taiwan’s political, economic, media, financial, and cultural life, Taipei bestows unparalleled exposure.

Historically, the position has served as a springboard to the presidency—former leaders like Lee Teng-hui (李登輝), Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), and Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) all once held the office before ascending to the nation’s highest post. 



Born in 1978, Chiang is 46 years old and boasts a strong resume. He holds a Doctor of Juridical Science and Juris Doctor from the University of Pennsylvania and once practiced law in the United States.

He served six years as a legislator in Taiwan, making him one of the youngest and most academically accomplished figures in the KMT’s top ranks.

His polished image and telegenic appearance have helped him cultivate widespread appeal among younger and more centrist voters.

Yet one of Chiang’s most distinctive—and controversial—political assets is his claim to be the great-grandson of Chiang Kai-shek (蔣介石), Taiwan's late dictator and the leader of the KMT party.

This lineage gives him deep symbolic resonance among traditional KMT supporters and ensures frequent media attention. However, it also comes with historical baggage.

The Chiang family legacy, marked by authoritarian rule and deep political division, continues to be a lightning rod for criticism.

Despite Chiang Wan-an's heritage offering considerable prestige in the KMT, the legacy of political oppression associated with his surname is simultaneously a political inconvenience.

For now, Chiang’s focus remains on securing a second term as Taipei City mayor in 2026. He has shown no overt signs of pursuing the presidency in 2028, but if he wins reelection, his political trajectory post-2030 will be one to watch.

With youth, pedigree, and visibility on his side, Chiang Wan-an remains a wildcard—one who could eventually reshape the future of the KMT, and perhaps Taiwan itself.

Chiang Chi-chen (江啓臣)

Chiang Chi-chen (Johnny C. Chiang), now Vice President of the Legislative Yuan, represents the intellectual core of the KMT’s middle generation.

Holding a Ph.D. in international relations from the University of South Carolina and formerly a university professor, Chiang entered government as the Minister of the Government Information Office under President Ma Ying-jeou. He later became a legislator in 2012 and has been reelected multiple times.

After KMT suffered defeat in the 2020 presidential election, then-party chairman Wu Den-yih (吳敦義) took political responsibility and resigned. As a result, the Kuomintang held a by-election for the party leadership, which was won by Chiang, making him the youngest chairman in the party's history.

During his tenure, Chiang launched an internal youth movement, bringing in fresh talent and initiating party reforms. Although he lost the 2021 party chair election, his efforts at rejuvenating the party have been seen as a turning point in the KMT’s modernization.

Chiang stands out among the KMT’s mid-generation leaders as a rare figure with both academic depth and rich political experience—an embodiment of the Confucian ideal that one “who excels in study can follow an official career.” Before entering politics, Chiang was a respected young scholar in international relations, which led to his recruitment into public service.

He later transitioned to electoral politics, winning multiple legislative terms and gaining a keen understanding of grassroots sentiments. His well-rounded credentials have made him one of the most prominent and capable figures of his generation within the KMT.

His talent also earned international recognition. In 2021, he was named to TIME Magazine’s “TIME100 Next” list, highlighting emerging global leaders.


Chiang is also one of the few younger KMT figures with strong ties to the United States. As Vice President of the Legislative Yuan, he is frequently tasked with international outreach.

Following the Trump administration’s tariff policies, Chiang led a delegation to the U.S. to convey the concerns of Taiwanese industries—further cementing his diplomatic credentials.

For Chiang to be considered a viable presidential contender, however, one experience is still missing from his resume: serving as a local executive.

The 2026 Taichung mayoral race is widely viewed as his political litmus test.

In fact, Chiang had already contested the Taichung mayoral nomination in 2018 but narrowly lost the KMT primary to Lu Shiow-yen. Although eligible to request a recount, Chiang gracefully conceded and endorsed Lu, earning public praise and Lu’s lasting friendship. Lu is expected to support Chiang’s bid for the seat in 2026.

Like Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an, 2028 may not be Chiang Chi-chen’s breakout year. But if he secures the Taichung mayorship and builds national visibility, he could emerge as a strong presidential contender—possibly as soon as the late 2030s.

Chang San-cheng (張善政)

Chang San-cheng, the current Mayor of Taoyuan, emerged as one of the biggest surprises of Taiwan’s 2022 local elections.

With a Ph.D. in civil engineering from Cornell University, Chang has a diverse background in academia, government, and the tech industry. He previously served as the founding director of Taiwan’s National Center for High-Performance Computing, a senior executive at Acer, and Director of Google’s hardware operations in Asia.

He entered government under Ma Ying-jeou as a Minister without Portfolio and later as Vice Premier. After the KMT’s 2016 defeat, Chang briefly served as Premier in a caretaker capacity, earning broad approval despite his short tenure.

In the 2022 local elections, the KMT faced internal contention over its nomination for Taoyuan mayor. Amid intense competition and indecision, then-KMT Chairman Eric Chu made a bold move by nominating Chang at the time. Despite initial controversy, Chang’s steady campaign and the DPP missteps—including a plagiarism scandal that forced a candidate switch—cleared the path for his victory.

Chang stands out among the KMT’s senior political figures for his rare combination of technical expertise and broad experience across academia, industry, and government.

Holding a Ph.D. in civil and structural engineering from Cornell University and bringing a strong background in IT and public administration, Chang played a pivotal role in advancing forward-looking policies during his time in central government—most notably laying the foundation for Taiwan’s open data initiative, a policy that once faced bureaucratic resistance but is now hailed for promoting transparency and empowering civic engagement.

As mayor of Taoyuan, Chang’s performance has received widespread approval. According to a 2023 poll by Taiwanese outlet Storm Media, his satisfaction rating exceeded 80%, the highest among all mayors in Taiwan. Other surveys have echoed this sentiment, with Taoyuan residents consistently recognizing the effectiveness of his administration.

In terms of experience and qualifications, Chang arguably checks all the boxes for a presidential contender. However, at 71, he faces a significant age disadvantage compared to other rising stars.

With his current focus on securing a second term as Taoyuan mayor, he would be 77 upon leaving office—an age at which convincing the public to support a further leap to national leadership may require not only the right timing, but also a compelling narrative and creative political strategy.



Others worth watching

Beyond the front-runners, the KMT’s bench includes several veteran and rising leaders whose political futures remain influential—though their paths to the presidency may require a unique alignment of timing, opportunity, and public sentiment.

Huang Min-hui (黃敏惠)

Currently serving her fourth term as Mayor of Chiayi City, Huang Min-hui has held a range of party and legislative roles, including acting KMT Chair and Member of the Legislative Yuan.

Chiayi is traditionally seen as a DPP-leaning city, yet Huang’s repeated electoral success there speaks volumes about her grassroots appeal and administrative competence.

She is expected to step down in 2026, and her next move will be closely watched. However, due to Chiayi’s relatively small population and limited national influence, Huang—despite her solid reputation, capable leadership, and distinct personal style—still faces significant challenges in mounting a viable bid for the presidency.

Success would depend on more favorable timing, conditions, and broader political alignment.


Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜)

Han Kuo-yu remains one of the most polarizing figures in recent Taiwanese politics. After an unexpected surge in the 2018 Kaohsiung mayoral election, Han briefly became a national sensation, even challenging President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) in the 2020 presidential election—only to suffer a major defeat and later become the first Taiwanese mayor to be recalled.

Despite these setbacks, Han made a political comeback in 2024 when he was elected as Speaker of the Legislative Yuan. His calm and even humorous leadership style has earned him renewed public approval.

Han’s biggest challenge remains the fact that, despite enjoying a wave of popularity in 2018, his image and political capital were severely damaged by the 2020 presidential election and his subsequent recall. He is still recovering from that setback.

If he intends to run for president again in the future, he will need to find a way to broaden voter support and rebuild public trust.


Hsieh Kuo-liang (謝國樑)

At 49, Keelung Mayor Hsieh Kuo-liang represents the younger generation of KMT leadership. A three-term former legislator, Hsieh is part of a respected local political family and has deep roots in Keelung’s political network.

After leaving the legislature in 2016 to take political responsibility for a local defeat he supported, Hsieh pivoted to the private sector before returning to politics in 2022 to win the Keelung mayoral race.

In 2024, Hsieh successfully fended off a recall campaign, strengthening his public image and credibility.

His short-term focus is on reelection in 2026. If successful, Hsieh would emerge as a formidable national player, with executive experience and legislative pedigree to back him.



The test

Historically seen as stronger in governance than campaigning, the KMT now faces an existential test.

Since its loss of the presidency in 2016, the party has suffered three consecutive national election defeats. Internal reshuffling and generational turnover have redefined its leadership landscape, but also left gaps in national cohesion and electoral strategy.

Whether the KMT can reclaim the presidency in 2028 or beyond hinges not only on its ability to rally around a unifying candidate but also on whether its rising stars can translate local popularity into national appeal. For a party once synonymous with technocratic prowess, its future may now depend as much on narrative, renewal, and reinvention as on resumes.

As the next election cycle looms, Taiwan’s political observers will be watching closely—not only to see who rises—but to see whether the KMT can chart a coherent path back to power.