The Penghu County magistrate race on November 28 remains closely contested due to the Democratic Progressive Party's late substitution of Wu Shu-chin for her incapacitated husband, the prior incumbent, after his February 2026 injury. This has allowed the Kuomintang nominee Chen Chen-chung, a township head with party backing, to consolidate pan-blue support while independents including Yeh Chu-lin and others draw fragmented votes in a historically swing county. Recent polling averages and campaign focus on maritime talent pipelines, infrastructure, and local governance have reinforced trader views of a narrow KMT edge without decisive separation. Upcoming candidate number draws and final-week mobilization could still shift margins in this multi-candidate field.