Having witnessed the hardships his parents 'endured as farmers while he was growing up, Yang decided to return to his hometown to build his own career after pursuing his education in northern Taiwan. He encourages residents to seek happiness through the creation of job opportunities and urban beautification, twin policies that have kept his popularity around 80 percent.
從小目睹父母務農的辛勞，一路由南到北求學，再選擇回鄉就業的經歷，楊秋興以「創造就業」以及「城市美學改造」雙管齊下，帶領縣民尋找幸福，也讓他的民調支持度長期維持在 8 成。