TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — KMT Chair Cheng Li-wen (鄭麗文) on Monday dismissed speculation that Changhua County Magistrate Wang Hui-mei (王惠美) is not committed to helping the party retain the county, saying Wang fully supports KMT magistrate candidate Wei Ping-cheng (魏平政).
KMT Changhua County Council Speaker Hsieh Tien-lin (謝典霖) said Thursday that Wang had not devoted enough effort to supporting Wei's campaign, arguing her backing would be crucial, per Tai Sounds. Hsieh also commented on his sister, KMT Legislator Hsieh Yi-fong's (謝衣鳯), limited campaign involvement, saying he believed their parents could persuade her to become more active.
Asked about Hsieh's remarks, Wang said she appreciated the public's concern, per CNA.
Speaking at a KMT local party event Monday, which Wang did not attend, Cheng acknowledged that Wei's campaign had gotten off to a slow start but said she remained confident he would be elected the next Changhua County magistrate, per Tai Sounds. She also dismissed speculation of tensions between herself and Wang, saying the magistrate has been highly supportive of Wei's campaign, per UDN.
Addressing Wang's absence, KMT Changhua County branch Chair Hsiao Ching-tien (蕭景田) said Wang had not scheduled a meeting with Cheng on Monday, making claims that she had refused to meet the party chair unfounded, per UDN. He added that the local party would continue communicating with Wang to secure her support for Wei.
A contentious magistrate nomination process has complicated the KMT's electoral prospects in Changhua. Hsieh Yi-fong had been considered the frontrunner, but the party ultimately bypassed a primary and directly nominated Wei after Hsieh's family declined to support her and Wang failed to persuade New Taipei Deputy Mayor Liu Ho-jan (劉和然) to enter the race.
Hsiao replaced Hsieh Yi-fong as county party branch chair to facilitate the direct nomination. The decision to bypass the primary and nominate Wei, however, prompted some local factions to withhold their support.
Separately, Hsieh Tien-lin is embroiled in a dispute with Changhua County Council Deputy Speaker Hsu Yuan-lung (許原龍), per Liberty Times. Hsieh accused Hsu of receiving backing from organized crime figures and alleged that the father of Hsu's running mate, Huang Cheng-cheng (黃正盛), assaulted then-National Assembly delegate Lai Ching-te (賴清德).
Hsu rejected the allegations, noting that he became Hsieh Tien-lin's deputy speaker at Hsieh's request. He also said Huang's father did not serve in the National Assembly at the same time as Lai, adding that Huang was free to pursue legal action over the claims.
A KMT campaign insider in Changhua said Hsieh Tien-lin's decision to publicly air his dispute with Hsu had further weakened Wei's support in northern Changhua, per UP Media. The source said Hsiao had previously reached an agreement while lobbying for Wei under which the party would quietly support Hsieh Tien-lin's re-election.
However, after Hsieh made the dispute public, the insider said Wei effectively lost support from key northern Changhua factions. The KMT's internal divisions could strengthen DPP candidate Chen Su-yueh's (陳素月) bid for county magistrate while also improving the party's prospects in the county council elections.
