TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — KMT Chair Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) on Wednesday dismissed rumors of a potential conflict between Changhua County Magistrate Wang Hui-mei (王惠美) and the party, following Wang’s continued absence from campaign events for KMT Changhua magistrate candidate Wei Ping-cheng (魏平政).
Cheng said that although Wei began campaigning later than Chen Su-yueh (陳素月), she has confidence in his ability to win the race, per UDN. She added that Wang’s achievements have given the KMT confidence that it can continue governing the county.
Cheng said that although Wei began campaigning later than (陳素月), she has confidence in his ability to win the race, per UDN. She added that Wang’s achievements have given the KMT confidence that it can continue governing the county.
Wei said he is the best candidate to continue Wang’s policies, citing his business acumen and legal knowledge, per UP Media. He said he would build on Wang’s achievements to help Changhua become Taiwan’s seventh special municipality.
Cheng also revealed that Wang had invested significant effort in securing her preferred successor, but those efforts did not yield results. She suggested that Wang remains undecided about whom to support and said Wei needs to prove himself to earn Wang’s backing.
KMT Vice Chair Li Chien-lung (李乾龍) expressed confidence that Wei would secure Wang’s support, per Z.Media. He acknowledged that Wei had gotten off to a slow start but said he has ample room to improve before election day.
Wang responded in a Facebook post, saying her actions are motivated by what she believes is best for Changhua County residents, per UDN. She said her search for a magistrate candidate, after two of her deputy magistrates entered the primary, was also motivated by that belief.
Wang said she learned about Wei’s nomination while she was abroad. She added that she believed the KMT could win under the leadership of KMT Changhua County Branch Chair Hsiao Ching-tien (蕭景田) and Cheng.
Wang’s continued absence from Wei’s campaign trail came into sharper focus after she appeared at an event with Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) and Chen Su-yueh, per Liberty Times. Wang later clarified that she attended the event to express gratitude to the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Cabinet for their support, although the event was not on her public itinerary.
Sources within the KMT suggested that Wang’s behavior could amount to campaigning for the DPP. Media commentator Chen Min-feng (陳敏鳳) said Wang’s continued absence could signal a major defeat for the KMT, adding that supporters of KMT Changhua County Council Speaker Hsieh Tien-lin (謝典霖) had reportedly switched their support to the DPP candidate, per Z.Media.
KMT Taipei City Councilor Chin Huei-chu (秦慧珠) said it was reasonable for Wang to appear at the same events as Cho or President Lai Ching-te (賴清德), but said her continued absence from Wei’s campaign events was problematic, per TVBS. She also suggested that the KMT lacks the means to punish Wang and bring her in line.
However, when asked who should be responsible if the KMT loses Changhua, Chin said Cheng should bear responsibility for bypassing the ongoing primary and directly nominating Wei.
