TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Former KMT Spokesperson Hsiao Ching-yan (蕭敬嚴) placed first in a New Taipei City councilor primary Thursday despite having his party membership revoked.

The KMT disciplinary committee ruled Monday to revoke Hsiao’s membership over past attacks on party lawmakers, per CNA. However, the party’s New Taipei branch announced Thursday that Hsiao had won the primary.

Branch Chair Huang Chih-hsiung (黃志雄) said that if Hsiao fails to overturn the decision on appeal, he will not be nominated as the party’s candidate, per CMMedia.

KMT Disciplinary Committee Chair Chang Ya-ping (張雅屏) questioned how a candidate whose membership had been revoked was allowed to participate in the primary, saying the issue should be addressed by the local branch and the party’s organizational authorities, per NOWNews. KMT Organization and Operation Development Chair Li Che-hua (李哲華) said the disciplinary committee should have clearly notified relevant units if Hsiao was not eligible to appeal, which would have barred him from participating in the primary.

Hsiao drew criticism within the KMT after appearing on pro-DPP talk shows and criticizing party lawmakers during recall campaigns targeting KMT legislators, per Liberty Times. KMT lawmaker Yeh Yuan-chih (葉元之), one of those targeted, urged supporters to vote against Hsiao.

KMT lawmaker Hsu Chiao-hsin (徐巧芯) suggested Hsiao’s support may have come from pro-DPP voters, warning that nominating such a candidate would be a mistake, per UDN. Lawmaker Lo Chih-chiang (羅智強) said Hsiao’s suspension disqualifies him from representing the party, per Liberty Times.

Hsiao’s opponent, He Yuan-kai (何元楷), Lo’s office manager, also declared victory, per TTV.