Kuomintang legislator and Legislative Yuan Deputy Speaker Chiang Chi-chen has formally entered the race for mayor of Taichung, winning the public endorsement of incumbent mayor Lu Shiow-yen — a positive signal for the blue camp's succession plans in the city.

• Chiang completed his registration for the Taichung mayoral race at 9:03 a.m. on September 3, Armed Forces Day.
• Dressed in the uniform of the navy's amphibious reconnaissance frogmen, he ran 4 kilometres in the rain to the registration venue alongside retired comrades.
• Lu Shiow-yen is serving as chair of his campaign headquarters and personally pinned the Taichung city emblem on him, symbolising the handover.
• He pledged to continue and build on Lu Shiow-yen's eight years of city administration, and said he already has a full policy blueprint prepared.
• Legislators and city council candidates including Yang Chiung-ying and Yen Kuan-heng appeared in support, a display of blue-camp unity.

Outlook: With the blue camp's candidate now settled, attention turns to whom the green camp will field in response.