Taiwan's Hsinchu mayoral race is heating up, with the DPP going on the offensive against incumbent mayor Ann Kao as she seeks a second term — bad news for Kao, whose legal troubles remain unresolved.

• DPP candidate Chuang Ching-cheng formally registered for the Hsinchu mayor's race, joined by veteran DPP legislator Ker Chien-ming.
• Ker told voters that backing Kao is the same as throwing their ballot away.
• The attack rests on Kao's revoked degree over plagiarism, her unfinished court cases over assistant expenses, and her suspension from office.
• The DPP is also pitching Chuang's credentials — a full four-year term as a legislator plus government experience — against Kao's short stint in the legislature.
• Chuang's core message is that construction and development in the city stalled during Kao's four years.

Outlook: Expect the campaign to stay focused on Kao's court cases, with her legal outcome likely deciding whether she can finish the race at all.