Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate for New Taipei mayor Su Chiao-hui accidentally broke a front tooth during a campaign rally on Saturday (14 November), but stayed on stage to finish singing. President Lai Ching-te, who also chairs the DPP, spoke in support of her at the rally, saying: “She endured the pain without complaint. With that spirit, she would certainly make a good mayor.”
According to reports by Liberty Times, Up Media and SET News, Su Chiao-hui held a large campaign rally in New Taipei’s Xinzhuang district on Saturday evening. An accidental collision during her performance broke her tooth, but she sang through the pain and finished the song before leaving the stage. After a rest, she returned to the stage wearing a mask.
Su later wrote on Threads that she had accidentally broken half a tooth while singing. She said she was otherwise fine, adding: “Please don’t worry.”
Reports said footage from the rally showed a noticeable chip in Su’s front tooth after the impact, with traces of blood at the corner of her mouth.
Speaking at the rally, Lai described the accident as “heaven testing her ability to handle the unexpected”. He added that most people would probably have burst into tears after breaking a tooth, but Su not only finished the entire song and spoke without a lisp, but was even able to return to the stage.
Lai said New Taipei, with its vast area and complex municipal affairs, needed precisely such a brave and resolute leader. Quoting a Taiwanese saying about growing stronger through adversity and enduring hardship without complaint, he praised Su as unquestionably the best candidate for mayor.
Taiwan’s “nine-in-one” local elections are entering their final stretch, with New Taipei among the most closely watched contests.
