Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party has shifted its campaign firepower to Changhua, with President Lai Ching-te appearing in person to stump for county magistrate candidate Chen Su-yueh — a boost for the DPP's prospects and a source of pressure for the opposition camp.

• The DPP moved its travelling Central Standing Committee meeting to Changhua, where Lai Ching-te endorsed Chen Su-yueh on the spot.
• He stressed that Chen Su-yueh worked her way up from staff assistant to four-term legislator on the strength of more than twenty years of grassroots work in the area, rather than being parachuted in ahead of the election.
• Lai Ching-te presented "cooperation between central and local government" as a selling point, implying that electing a magistrate who confronts the central government would slow down infrastructure development.
• He also laid out the administration's record: tuition-free senior high and vocational school, upgraded long-term care, and an AI dividend of NT$10,000 per person.
• He warned his own party against complacency, saying the opposition will not give up easily and that with cross-strait conditions shifting significantly, the ruling party must hold steady.

Outlook: The race for Changhua County magistrate is set to become a key battleground in the year-end local elections, with both the Kuomintang and the DPP stepping up their commitment of resources.