TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — DPP officials are working to prevent a split in pro-DPP votes in the Taitung County magistrate race, as former lawmaker Liu Chao-hao (劉櫂豪) signals a possible independent run.
DPP Legislator and Taitung magistrate candidate Chen Ying (陳瑩) said Wednesday that senior party officials are handling Liu’s potential candidacy, per NOWNews. Speaking at the Legislative Yuan, Chen noted that Liu has not formally announced his bid and said she would leave negotiations to party leadership.
Chen also clarified that a meeting led by DPP Secretary-General Hsu Kuo-yung (徐國勇) on Monday focused on her campaign, not on coordinating with Liu.
Liu, who is affiliated with former President Tsai Ing-wen’s (蔡英文) faction, has hinted at running as an independent, raising concerns about dividing the pro-DPP vote. While he has not made a final decision, sources aligned with the KMT said Liu and his wife have begun preliminary preparations typical of political candidates, per Liberty Times.
During Monday’s meeting, participants reportedly suggested offering Liu a role in a future administration, though the proposal met resistance after it emerged that it had not been discussed in advance with Hsu. An insider said Hsu’s arrangements were focused solely on the upcoming election.
Some DPP supporters in Taitung are waiting to see whether Tsai will comment on Liu’s potential bid.
DPP Legislative Caucus Secretary-General Chuang Jui-hsiung (莊瑞雄), a member of Tsai’s faction, acknowledged Liu’s political ambitions, per ETtoday. However, Chuang said Liu should weigh whether his candidacy could create difficulties for allies and whether it would help Liu achieve his goals.
Liu has previously dismissed concerns about splitting the vote, saying an independent run would center on his personal capabilities rather than party affiliation, per Liberty Times. He added that candidates should not blame opponents for “splitting votes.”
