Chiayi County Magistrate Weng Chang-liang says he could run for the legislature or take a cabinet job once his term ends, a sign the DPP is already lining up its next bench ahead of Taiwan's year-end local elections.

• Weng would not rule out running for the legislative seat that DPP Chiayi County candidate Tsai Yi-yu would leave behind, but stressed that not ruling it out is not the same as running.
• Asked about a central government post, he said everything is possible and everything is also possible not to happen — he says the county race comes first.
• On merging Chiayi county and city, he wants a bigger fight: redraw and merge local governments across all of Taiwan, not just one corner of it.
• He leaves office after eight years with a record as a five-time "five-star" magistrate, with former president Tsai Ing-wen publicly backing him.
• Tsai is also chairing or honorary-chairing campaigns in Taitung, Keelung, New Taipei and Chiayi County, making her the DPP's main draw for the year-end vote.

Outlook: Expect Weng to stay quiet on his own future until the year-end elections are settled, then move quickly toward either the legislature or a cabinet seat.