TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Changhua County Government Counselor Ko Cheng-fang (柯呈枋) said Friday he is considering whether to register for the Changhua County magistrate race after a supporter delivered a registration form to his home.
The KMT decided to nominate lawyer Wei Ping-cheng (魏平政) as its magistrate candidate over Ko, former Changhua County Deputy Magistrate Hung Jung-chang (洪榮章), and KMT legislator Hsieh Yi-fong (謝衣鳯), who had been in contention before the party's higher-ups became directly involved. The decision has caused turmoil locally, with Changhua County Magistrate Wang Hui-mei (王惠美) being absent from Wei's campaign trail.
Ko wrote in a Facebook post that his wife called him Friday morning to tell him about the magistrate race registration form, per UDN. He said that while he is still deciding on his next move, he believes the wishes of local political leaders and voters should be considered alongside party rules.
KMT Chair Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) previously called Ko, Hung, and Hsieh “the three KMT treasures” in the county, per SETN. Ko responded by saying that “treasures should not only be mentioned after the party nominated its candidate.”
Former Changhua County Magistrate Cho Po-yuan (卓伯源) proposed a survey including Wei, Ko, Hung, and Hsieh to determine the strongest candidate, per UDN. A local KMT insider suggested that given Cho's limited ties with Hung and friction with Hsieh's family, it is easy to infer which candidate Cho is trying to promote.
Political commentator Huang Yang-ming (黃揚明) said the KMT's disunity over the Changhua County magistrate race indicates that Cheng is unable to handle local elections, per FTNN. He pointed to Wang's absence from Wei's campaign as an indication that “the race is doomed.”
Huang suggested that the KMT's success in the recall campaign against its lawmakers has made some party politicians overconfident about their chances in this year’s local elections. He argued that the party's inability to resolve its internal divisions could cost it dearly.
In related news, former Changhua City Mayor Chiu Chien-fu (邱建富), who left the DPP to run as an independent, has registered for the magistrate race, per SETN. He alleged Thursday that high-ranking members of President Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) administration, including advisers to the Presidential Office, had attempted to persuade him to withdraw from the race.
When the Liberty Times contacted presidential advisers in Changhua County, three of the four either directly denied contacting Chiu or declined to comment. Presidential Adviser Lai Po-ssu (賴博司), who declined to comment directly, said he was deeply disappointed in Chiu for criticizing the DPP despite having relied on the party during his political career.
