Hsinchu City Election Shake-Up: 11-Term Former Speaker Cheng Cheng-kuang Does Not Register, Eight Contest Six Seats in Xiangshan

A long-running fixture of Hsinchu City politics has stepped aside at the last moment. Cheng Cheng-kuang, a former city council speaker who won 11 consecutive terms, collected the registration forms but did not submit his candidacy before the deadline.

His withdrawal leaves eight candidates competing for six council seats in Xiangshan District. The registered candidates are Wu Jo-yin, Wu Kuo-pao, Yeh Kuo-wen, Chen Chi-yuan, Tsai Chien, Chen Ching-ling, Liao Tzu-chi and Lin Ying-che.

Five incumbent councilors have registered to seek re-election. The seat left open by Cheng is expected to draw particular competition from Wu Jo-yin, Yeh Kuo-wen and Tsai Chien. Wu and Tsai are running for the first time, while Yeh is making a third bid for a Xiangshan council seat and has received a nomination from the Taiwan People’s Party.

Cheng began his political career as a neighborhood representative and has served as an elected representative for nearly 50 years. He also served as speaker of the city council. Reports indicated that health considerations and discussions with his family may have influenced his decision, but Cheng did not respond when contacted.

Several other incumbents, including Liu Kang-yen, Tuan Hsiao-fang, Yu Pang-yen and Sun Hsi-chou, also did not register to seek another term. Cheng’s failure to register on the final day has prompted widespread discussion in Hsinchu’s political circles.