TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The KMT on Wednesday nominated Jian Township Mayor You Shu-zhen (游淑貞) as its candidate for Hualien County magistrate.

The party selected You, an ally of KMT Legislative Caucus Convener Fu Kun-chi (傅崐萁), after she defeated former Hualien City Mayor Yeh Yao-hui (葉耀輝) in an internal survey, per UDN. Citing concerns about a lack of transparency, Yeh disputed the results, saying the KMT Hualien branch included him in the poll after he had declined to participate, per UDN.

You now faces challenges from independent Hualien County Councilor Wei Chia-hsien (魏嘉賢) and County Council Speaker Chang Chun (張峻).

Wei announced his candidacy on Feb. 22, a move that could split pro-KMT support, per Newtalk. Chang said he plans to formally announce his bid next week and has vowed to wrest control of Hualien politics from Fu’s faction, per SETN.

All three candidates either belonged to or were part of the KMT, raising the possibility that DPP-leaning voters — who make up roughly 25% of Hualien’s electorate — could become decisive in the race, per Liberty Times. However, a local political observer said the DPP faces negative perceptions among many Indigenous voters in the county, adding that candidates perceived as pro-DPP risk losing Indigenous support.

Among DPP supporters, Chang’s backing of the recall campaign against Fu has earned him some support. A local DPP insider said Chang’s grassroots backing and willingness to confront Fu directly could help challenge the long-standing influence of Fu’s faction in Hualien.

Wei, meanwhile, may benefit from briefly supporting the recall effort, though past scandals involving his family could weigh on his public image.

Although You is widely seen as aligned with Fu’s faction, she has sought to distance herself from the label of being Fu’s political successor. She said her two decades in public service demonstrate her commitment to earning voter support through concrete policy achievements.