Former legislator Li Chen-hsiu, who was expelled from the Taiwan People's Party, has announced she is entering the race for mayor of Zhubei, but legal obstacles to her eligibility remain, adding a new variable to Kuomintang-TPP coordination efforts.

• Li announced her candidacy for Zhubei mayor on social media today, declaring that she is "ready."
• She was expelled from the TPP in April this year over controversial remarks, losing her legislative seat as well; she had earlier been caught up in a dispute over dual nationality.
• The Central Election Commission's position is the key sticking point: spouses from mainland China must have submitted proof of renouncing their Chinese household registration at least 10 years earlier before they can register as candidates for public office, and she did not renounce hers until March 2025.
• The TPP is still backing Chiu Chen-yuan, with a campaign rally planned for the 29th and registration at the end of the month accompanied by Huang Kuo-chang; KMT-TPP coordination has yet to be settled.

Outlook: Whether she can actually complete registration depends on how the Central Election Commission rules on her eligibility; in the near term, the announcement looks more like a political message aimed at the TPP.