TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The KMT announced Tuesday that it will nominate Changhua City Representative Council Speaker Chen Wen-pin (陳文賓) as its candidate for Changhua City mayor, selecting him over Changhua County Councilor Wen Chih-hua (温芝樺) in an internal process.
After several rounds of unsuccessful negotiations between the contenders, KMT Changhua County branch chair Hsiao Ching-tien (蕭景田) confirmed Sunday that polling to determine the party’s nominee had begun, per UP Media. He added that the survey results would not be made public.
Speaking Tuesday, Hsiao praised Wen for accepting the outcome and demonstrating party unity, per UDN. He said the KMT would have a stronger chance of reclaiming the mayoralty if the race became a direct contest between the KMT and the DPP.
Following the announcement, Wen called on the public to stop targeting her family, saying relatives should not be drawn into political disputes. Chen said he would work to consolidate support within the KMT while expanding his appeal among independent voters.
DPP Changhua City mayoral candidate Huang Po-yu (黃柏瑜) responded to the KMT’s nomination by expressing confidence that his party could retain control of the city, per Liberty Times. Citing the results of the past three presidential elections, Huang said the DPP has demonstrated its ability to secure more than 50% of the vote in Changhua City.
Huang added that independent voters are likely to play a decisive role in the election.
