After 21 Years of Family Rule, Daughter Runs for Changhua’s Fenyuan Township Chief

Fenyuan Township’s long-standing political family is putting forward a new generation. Hung Chien-yun, whose parents held the Changhua County township chief’s office for five terms over nearly 21 years, will run this year with the Kuomintang’s backing.

Hung will challenge Kuo Che-jung, deputy speaker of the Fenyuan Township Representative Council and the Democratic Progressive Party’s nominee. The contest sets up another blue-green battle in a township where the DPP secured an unusual consecutive victory four years ago.

Hung’s father, Hung Ching-chang, served in the 12th and 13th terms. Her mother, Huang Li-ling, followed in the 14th term. After Hung Ching-chang lost by a wide margin in the 15th term, he returned to win the 16th and 17th terms. An election merger extended the terms, bringing the couple’s combined time in office to nearly 21 years. Hung’s brother, Huang Yi-kai, serves as director-general of the Fenyuan Farmers’ Association.

Hung previously served three terms as a township representative. She lost four years ago to Lin Shih-ming, the younger brother of New Taipei legislator Lin Shu-fen. The DPP is now counting on Kuo to maintain its presence in Fenyuan and continue what it describes as efforts to change the township.

Hung said she did not tell her family before deciding to run. She said becoming a single mother and taking responsibility for her son’s early care after his autism spectrum disorder diagnosis showed her how limited Fenyuan’s support was. She wants more early-intervention services, additional childcare centers and better eldercare villages.

Hung acknowledged that her candidacy would bring renewed discussion of a political family. “That is a matter belonging to the previous generation,” she said, arguing that her goal is to give Fenyuan residents better access to needed services.

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That is a matter belonging to the previous generation.