TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Former Changhua City Mayor Chiu Chien-fu (邱建富) announced Thursday that he will leave the DPP and run for Changhua County magistrate as an independent candidate.
Chiu reiterated his criticism of the DPP's magistrate primary held in late 2025, questioning the fairness and transparency of the process, per ETtoday. He argued that including KMT Legislator Hsieh Yi-fong (謝衣鳳) in polling comparisons did not make sense because she was not the KMT's nominee at the time.
Chiu said he hoped Changhua voters would give him one final opportunity to pursue the county magistrate's office. He added that he had spent the past 12 years making compromises for the party in various elections.
Chiu also expressed gratitude to the DPP. He added that he would begin rolling out campaign billboards without the party's logo and formally start the process of withdrawing from the party.
DPP magistrate nominee Chen Su-yueh (陳素月) said she respected Chiu's decision but urged him to reconsider, warning that the move could cause lasting damage to his political reputation, per Newtalk. She also defended the legitimacy of the party's primary process, noting that she met with her former rivals after securing the nomination.
The DPP's Changhua County chapter noted that members who voluntarily leave the party are barred from rejoining for five years. The chapter added that any member who registers to run in violation of party rules would face disciplinary action.
DPP Spokesperson Wu Cheng (吳崢) said Wednesday that party members who support candidates from other parties, refuse to back the DPP nominee, or register to run against party decisions would be disciplined in accordance with party regulations, per Tai Sounds. He pointed out that previous members who ran after failing to secure the party's nomination were ultimately expelled.
TPP Secretary-General Chou Yu-hsiu (周榆修) previously said Chiu had approached the party to discuss the Changhua magistrate race, per Liberty Times. While Chiu denied the claim, the TPP has maintained that its account is accurate.
Discussing Chiu's potential impact on the election, local DPP sources said he may draw support from KMT and TPP voters but is unlikely to significantly affect Chen's support base.
