Taiwan's local election season is heating up in Yilan, where a tight race for Luodong township chief pits the ruling DPP against the KMT, with the economy as the main battleground.

• The DPP's Huang Shih-chao launched his campaign with five promises: reviving the local economy, innovation, culture, city beautification, and better daily life.
• The KMT is running county councilor Chen Hung-hsi, and both sides are seen as evenly matched with no clear leader.
• The seat is open because the current chief is finishing her second and final term at the end of the year.
• Luodong is Yilan's business hub, and big projects are coming — elevated rail, a high-speed rail extension, and a new county administrative center.
• Huang argues the town has been stuck for over a decade and that the next ten years decide whether it transforms or stalls.

Outlook: Expect both camps to push hard on infrastructure and jobs as the year-end vote approaches, with the race likely to stay close.