DPP to Nominate Cheng Chao-fang for Hsinchu County Magistrate, Facing Off Against Hsu Hsin-ying

(CNA Reporter Yeh Su-ping, Taipei, 10th) The Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) election strategy committee today recommended nominating Zhubei Mayor Cheng Chao-fang to run for Hsinchu County Magistrate, to face off against the Kuomintang's (KMT) Hsinchu County magistrate candidate, Hsu Hsin-ying. The DPP will hold a Central Executive Committee meeting this afternoon to formally approve the nomination and will hold a nomination press conference, where President Lai Ching-te, who concurrently serves as party chairman, will personally bestow the campaign sash upon Cheng Chao-fang.

This will be Cheng Chao-fang's second challenge for the Hsinchu County magistrate seat, following his first run in 2018.

In preparation for the year-end county and city magistrate elections, the DPP held a meeting of its election strategy committee this morning. Committee member and legislator Chen Pei-yu stated after the meeting that Cheng Chao-fang's nomination will be finalized this afternoon, that it was unanimously approved with applause in the meeting, and that they greatly look forward to this afternoon's nomination press conference, hoping the candidate can present his dreams and vision for Hsinchu.

Regarding the layout for other counties and cities, Chen Pei-yu responded that there was no discussion today, the meeting concluded smoothly, and issues concerning other counties and cities will be discussed in subsequent committee meetings.

As for the succession plan in Zhubei City, Chen Pei-yu explained that the nomination authority for the Zhubei mayor rests with the Hsinchu County party headquarters, which will now also begin discussions. Of course, opinions from all sides still need to be consulted regarding potential candidates or interested individuals. She suggested giving the Hsinchu County party headquarters some more time, and they will report back as soon as possible.

Media asked if the committee discussed the overall nomination timeline, as the DPP will hold its National Congress in July. Chen Pei-yu said that in previous committee meetings, there have indeed been some discussions about Kinmen, Matsu, and Hualien, and local voices have been brought back to the committee. They hope to have closer communication with local party chapters, and discussions will certainly continue as the committee's formal nomination work is not yet finished.

Additionally, regarding whether the DPP will nominate Wu Shu-chin, the wife of Penghu County Magistrate Chen Kuang-fu, to "run in her husband's stead," Chen Pei-yu said the situation in Penghu County is still under discussion, asking everyone to wait a little longer.

Penghu County Magistrate Chen Kuang-fu, who had already been nominated to seek re-election, was seriously injured and fell into a coma after an accidental fall at a Cultural Affairs Bureau Lunar New Year performance on February 17 this year (the first day of the Lunar New Year). He has been hospitalized for over three months.