TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — New Taipei Deputy Mayor Liu Ho-jan (劉和然) said Thursday he would not return to Changhua County to run as the KMT’s candidate for county magistrate.
Liu said he was honored that people from his hometown had encouraged him to run on the KMT ticket in the upcoming local elections, per UP Media. However, he said his career has long been rooted in New Taipei and that he plans to remain at the side of New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜) to help ensure a smooth administrative transition.
Liu added that candidates more familiar with Changhua County’s local political landscape would be better suited to run for the post.
The KMT’s nomination process in Changhua County has stalled as the influential Hsieh (謝) political family debates whether to enter the race. Legislator Hsieh Yi-fong (謝衣鳯) is seeking the KMT’s nomination, though other members of the family have reportedly withheld support for her bid, per UP Media.
Instead, the Hsieh family is said to be focusing on securing control of several of Changhua County’s most populous townships and ensuring that Changhua County Council Speaker Hsieh Tien-lin (謝典霖) retains his position in the 2026 local elections. The KMT, which had initially favored Hsieh Yi-feng as its candidate, has reportedly accepted the family’s decision.
Hsieh Tien-lin said Tuesday that the family does not plan to contest the magistrate seat, citing concerns from his father, Hsieh Hsin-lung (謝新隆), about potential legal risks tied to elections, per Storm Media.
Meanwhile, Hsieh Tien-lin has been rumored to be working behind the scenes to build an anti–DPP coalition with the TPP behind former Changhua City Mayor Chiu Chien-fu (邱建富), who previously lost the DPP primary, per Liberty Times.
Responding to the speculation, Chiu said he would be willing to work with political forces across party lines to improve governance in Changhua County, per Newtalk. He said his administrative experience makes him well-suited for the position.
TPP Chair Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) said he disapproved of the rumored plan because Chiu is a DPP member, per Liberty Times. Chiu denied contacting Huang to discuss forming a coalition, though TPP Secretary-General Chou Yu-hsiu (周榆修) expressed doubts about the denial, per UDN.
While Hsieh Tien-lin publicly denied proposing such a plan, TPP official Tsai Pi-ju (蔡壁如) said she had received the proposal and forwarded it to former TPP Chair Ko Wen-je (柯文哲), per FTV.
Hsieh Yi-feng also responded to the speculation, noting that the KMT already has three potential candidates seeking the party’s nomination.
The other contenders are Changhua County government counselor Ko Cheng-fang (柯呈枋) and former deputy magistrate Hung Jung-chang (洪榮章), per Newtalk. The party is expected to select its official nominee by the end of March.
