Former President Tsai Ing-wen has thrown her weight behind DPP legislator Ho Hsin-chun's run for Taichung mayor, a boost for the party's campaign in a key swing city.

• Tsai took the honorary chair role at Ho's campaign headquarters and visited it in person.
• She cast Ho as a fast-moving, persistent leader, borrowing Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai's "hurry up" catchphrase.
• Taichung's traditional industries need to change fast in the AI era, and Tsai says Ho understands what local firms need.
• Transport projects and industrial upgrading were named as the city's biggest gaps.
• Tsai urged voters to back the whole DPP slate, saying a mayor also needs strength in the city council.

Outlook: Expect Ho to campaign hard on transport and factory modernization as Taiwan's local elections approach.