New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih is regarded as a popular choice to become the KMT's candidate for the 2024 presidential election. Printed media reported that he recently met privately with Terry Gou founder Terry Gou.
Political parties began preparing for the 2024 presidential election once the nine-in-one local elections concluded. According to Mirror Media, New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih, who is regarded as a potential presidential candidate for the KMT, recently met privately with Hon Hai founder Terry Gou. He is reportedly also establishing local organizations and preparing for someone to take over for him as mayor. Some believe the strongest lineup the KMT could field for the presidential election is a Hou-Gou pairing. Hou has remained silent.
William Tseng, Legislator (KMT): “A Gou-Hou pairing (or a Hou-Gou pairing, which one is better?), these are all rumors. The KMT is a democratic political party that has a system. When the time comes, we will definitely choose a pairing that has the best chance of winning.”
Eric Chu, Chairperson, KMT (Jan. 2, 2023): “(A Hou-Lu pairing would be pretty great.) Are you asking about Mayor Hou or Mayor Lu?”
There are also rumors about Hou teaming up with Taichung City Mayor Lu Shiow-yen. Someone who hasn't been mentioned is KMT Chairperson Eric Chu. Mirror Media also reported that he hasn't given up his hopes of running and is making election arrangements. There are also reports that former KMT Chairperson Johnny Chiang, who is currently a legislator, will take over for Hou as mayor. Chiang said all this is only speculation.
Johnny Chiang, Legislator (KMT): “I haven't discussed this issue with Mayor Hou and there aren't any plans. What we're electing next year are legislators and the president, not mayors, so of course, I will be running for reelection.”
Chiang said he is focused on the legislature. He declined to comment when asked about election rumors, saying they are all based on hypothetical situations. He said the keys to victory in 2024 are unity and cooperation.
九合一選後各黨開始積極備戰總統大選，《鏡周刊》報導藍營熱門人選新北市長侯友宜，近期不只和鴻海集團創辦人郭台銘私下見面，並著手籌建地方組織與準備新北市長接班人選。侯郭合作結盟力拚總統大位，組成藍軍最強的黃金陣容，不過侯友宜3日沒有公開行程，對外一直沒有鬆口。
立法院國民黨團總召曾銘宗回應：「郭侯配這都是外界的傳聞，國民黨是一個有制度的一個民主政黨，到時候一定會推出最有勝選機會的所謂什麼配。」
國民黨主席朱立倫(2023.01.02)：「（2024 侯盧配還不錯) 你是要問侯市長還是要問盧市長嗎?」
不只侯郭配掀起討論，侯盧配也是頻頻被點名，但討論名單沒有出現黨主席朱立倫，周刊報導他以退為進，依舊在鋪排總統大選。至於國民黨前主席、立委江啟臣接班侯友宜的傳聞持續延燒，江啟臣重申都是外界臆測。
國民黨立委江啟臣表示：「我跟侯市長沒有談過這些相關的事情，也沒有相關的一個規劃，明年選的是立委跟總統，也不是市長，所以我當然是要爭取立委的連任。」
江啟臣強調重心將在立法院，至於新北和台中可能接班哪一個也避談，稱都是假設性問題，2024要團結合作才能勝選。