PoliticsHigh-stake polls for party leader Cheng Li-wun, re-emerging ex-chief Eric ChuTaipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an speaks during the opening ceremony of his campaign headquarters in Taipei on Oct. 26. Once seen as a shoo-in for reelection, his race has become unexpectedly tight. © ReutersNovember 7, 2026 09:44 JSTTAIPEI -- Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an was expected to cruise to reelection in Taiwan's local voting later this month, alongside Kuomintang (KMT) veteran technocrat Lee Shu-chuan, the party's candidate in neighboring New Taipei. Instead, with weeks to go, the two men have seen commanding leads in the polls slip away, sowing unease inside the main opposition party and sparking a rush to right the ship.