With 98 days to go until the Taichung mayoral election, Democratic Progressive Party candidate Ho Hsin-chun has made traditional markets a central plank of her campaign — good news for vendors, and pressure on her rivals.

• Ho toured Shuinan Market in Xitun District in the rain, shaking hands stall by stall and listening to vendors' business needs.
• Starting next year, the Executive Yuan will add NT$2.55 billion annually to improve public spaces and infrastructure at shopping districts, markets and night markets nationwide.
• Her central policy pitch is that the city government should actively compete for that central government budget and bring the money back to Taichung's traditional markets.
• The improvements would focus on the environment, transport and digital transformation, with the goal of turning market foot traffic into actual income for vendors.
• Joining her were city councillors Chen Shu-hua and Chen Yu-jung, along with candidates Chen Hsin-hsiu and Chien Chia-yu, covering constituencies in Xitun, Beitun and the North District.

Outlook: With nearly 100 days until the vote, whether central government resources actually materialise in Taichung will be a main point of contention between the two sides.