Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je says he’d rather keep his current job than act as a running mate to business tycoon Terry Gou in next year’s election.

There have been rumors that Ko might team up with Gou and run on a joint ticket, mounting a challenge to both of Taiwan’s traditional political parties.

Ko has not formally announced a run for president. However, he recently founded his own political party, a move some interpret as a prelude to a presidential run.

Terry Gou, by contrast, has made his presidential aspirations clear, running as a KMT candidate before losing a primary last month. He has since remained quiet about whether he intends to rejoin the race as an independent.

If the two were to join forces, it remains unclear whose name would be at the top of the ballot and who would run for vice president. However, during an interview Friday, Ko Wen-je said he has no desire to run for vice president, and that he would rather stay on as Taipei mayor.

When asked about the recent establishment of his own political party, Ko said that some have expressed disappointment at the move. Ko said they would have preferred that he remain an independent. But, Ko says if he wants to garner seats in the legislature, he will need to have the kind of backing that a political party provides.