TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Chiang Wan-an reclaimed Taipei for the opposition KMT in a tight three-way mayoral race on Saturday (Nov. 26).
"We did it," Chiang said in an election rally at around 8 p.m. "Thank you to those who voted for me and put the next four years of Taipei into my hands."
"I also appreciate the drive of those who didn't vote for me," he added. "Every vote reminds the future city government's team to be humble and work harder."
The 43-year-old ex-legislator and the great-grandson of Chiang Kai-shek called his win over opponents Chen Shih-chu'g of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and independent candidate Huang Shan-shan.
"Taipei will be a great city with no limits that constantly surpasses itself," said the popular politician who is considered a progressive on many important issues.
In 2019, Chiang was one of only seven KMT lawmakers to vote to legalize same-sex marriage. He also advocated renaming and rededicating the former Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and providing restitution to the victims of political persecution.
His policy proposals to combat Taipei's population decline also resonated with undecided voters, including providing financial support to new parents and expanding access to social housing.
The victory will be seen as a boon for KMT's ambitions to take back the presidency in 2024, though analysts warned that local elections successes don't always translate into big wins in national elections.
