Yunlin County Council Deputy Speaker Tsai Yung-te has confirmed he will not seek re-election, handing his constituency to his wife — a notable reshuffling of the local factional landscape.

• Tsai Yung-te confirmed he is withdrawing from the 2026 Yunlin County Council election, with his wife Huang Mei-lan, chair of the Beigang Township Representative Council, returning to run in his place.
• He said he went to the temple several times to seek guidance from Mazu by casting divination blocks but never received an affirmative answer, and that with temple affairs keeping him busy, he decided to focus on managing Chaotian Temple.
• He had been widely seen as a contender for speaker or deputy speaker, and news of his withdrawal has prompted discussion locally.
• His constituency covers Beigang, Shuilin and Kouhu, where his re-election prospects had been solid.
• Asked whether he would instead return to run for Beigang township representative, he said he was still considering it.

Outlook: Yunlin's 6th electoral district and the lineup for the speakership are set for a reshuffle, and whether Huang Mei-lan can sustain her husband's family's political strength in Beigang will be the next point to watch.