Taipei's mayoral contest is turning into a contrast of styles, and right now the momentum looks better for challenger Puma Shen than for incumbent Chiang Wan-an.

• Chiang Wan-an has picked up a mocking nickname for answering questions with unrelated replies, and his response to it was another joke that fell flat.
• Puma Shen, the DPP contender, is drawing long lines at Taipei night markets, with fans queuing for photos, autographs and homemade campaign flyers.
• Supporters have branded the surge a "Shen current," echoing the wave that carried Han Kuo-yu to victory in Kaohsiung in 2018.
• Chiang deflected the comparison with a pun about the president's nickname, then pivoted to plugging Taipei's shopping districts and street food.

Outlook: If the crowds keep growing, Shen's grassroots momentum becomes the main story of the race, and Chiang will face pressure to sharpen his public answers.