The 2026 New Taipei mayor race is now essentially a dead heat, which is bad news for the KMT's Li Si-chuan after months of assumed comfortable leads.

• A new public poll puts DPP candidate Su Chiao-hui narrowly ahead of KMT rival Li Si-chuan, with the gap inside the margin of error.
• Li insists his campaign's internal numbers still show a stable lead, including among younger voters.
• Su says she respects the polls either way and is building support step by step with a "sunny, positive" message focused on policy and vision.
• She registered her candidacy alongside DPP city council candidates in a show of party unity.
• The KMT has revived questions about a government fund grant to Su's sister, after criticism over Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an's son's overseas exchange placement.

Outlook: Expect the race to stay close and the attacks to get more personal as both camps fight for New Taipei's swing and youth vote.