Taipei's mayoral race is heating up, with the DPP challenger building a grassroots brand ahead of the 2026 city election.

• DPP Taipei mayor candidate Shen Bo-yang launched eight campaign merchandise items — T-shirts, hats, tote bags, towels and plush toys — all made by Taiwanese manufacturers in limited runs.
• The campaign is built around the "ocean current" theme, a nickname coined by supporters, meant to signal gentle but persistent pressure for change.
• Two young spokespeople were named: Tsai Yi-kai, 28, a former student union president turned political staffer, and Lin Yu-tung, 26, currently a chief of staff for a DPP legislator.
• Donations are capped at NT$100,000 per person, with different merchandise given depending on how much someone gives.
• Shen renewed his challenge to incumbent mayor Chiang Wan-an to debate city policy, pointing to unexplained failures on child abuse cases and delayed public works.

Outlook: Expect the merchandise-and-volunteer push to keep building pressure on Chiang to accept a public debate as the race tightens.