TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Former TPP Legislator Tsai Pi-ju (蔡壁如) on Monday reiterated her desire to run as the party's candidate in the Changhua County magistrate race.
Tsai said her goal was to help expand the TPP’s presence, noting that Changhua County is Taiwan's most populous agricultural county, per NOWNews. She argued that the party should step outside its comfort zone and broaden its appeal.
TPP Changhua County branch Chair Wen Tsung-yu (溫宗諭) responded by saying the party's priority should be strengthening its support base in the county rather than entering the magistrate race, per UDN. TPP Chair Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) said the party's election committee had received the branch's assessment and would discuss the matter, per UDN.
Candidates from both major parties also weighed in on the prospect of a Tsai candidacy, per China Times. KMT nominee Wei Ping-cheng (魏平政) said that, having already secured the party's nomination, any potential cooperation with other parties would be up to party leadership. DPP nominee Chen Su-yueh (陳素月) said she respected Tsai's decision and that running for office was her personal choice.
Commenting on the race, Chinese Culture University professor Chuang Po-chung (莊伯仲) said Chen would likely benefit if opposition support were divided, per UDN. Given resistance to Tsai's candidacy from within the TPP, Chuang said it remains unclear whether she will ultimately enter the race.
National Changhua University of Education associate professor Liu Chao-lung (劉兆隆) said Chen could be well-positioned to win if former Changhua City Mayor Chiu Chien-fu (邱建富) stays out. Although the KMT traditionally enjoys stronger support in Changhua, Liu said the party's decision to nominate the lesser-known Wei raises questions about its ability to mobilize voters.
Liu added that one factor for the KMT could be the legislative by-election that would be triggered if Chen wins the magistrate race and vacates her seat in the Legislative Yuan.
