A little-known property developer has joined Kaohsiung's mayoral race, adding an unexpected name to a contest expected to be a two-party fight.

• Wang Chao-min, 63, showed up at the city election commission late in the day to register as a candidate.
• He heads a construction firm and was listed as a "prospective candidate" in the 2024 presidential race, though he never became widely known.
• During that campaign he set up an approved political donation account under Taiwan's political funding rules.
• Three candidates have now registered: Chang Ching of the Judicial Reform Party, Lai Jui-lung of the ruling DPP, and Wang.
• The KMT's Ko Chih-en is set to register the next morning, escorted by party heavyweight Wang Jin-pyng.

Outlook: The race will firm up once the KMT candidate files, with the main fight still between the DPP and KMT.