KMT Aims to Extend Changhua Council Dominance as Speaker Seeks Sixth Term

The Kuomintang (KMT) party is working to extend its long-standing dominance in the Changhua County Council, as current speaker Hsieh Tien-lin aims for an unprecedented sixth consecutive term. The council, established 75 years ago, has consistently been controlled by the KMT, with the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) never securing the top leadership position.

For over three decades, the speaker's seat has been held by either Bai Hongsen or Hsieh Tien-lin. Hsieh is now seeking his sixth term, a move closely watched for its potential impact on the county magistrate elections. Political observers note that the Hsieh family's decision for Hsieh's sister, legislator Hsieh Yi-feng, to remain in her legislative role while Hsieh Tien-lin pursues the speakership is strategic, echoing past instances where council leadership was linked to county executive races.

Historically, the council leadership has seen shifts. Before the 1994 elections, then-speaker Hsieh Shih-ku withdrew from the race, leading to Bai Hongsen and Nien Chung-jen taking the top posts. Bai served four terms as speaker, with Hsiao Ching-tien as deputy. However, during the 16th council term, Hsiao moved to the legislature, and Bai was removed from office due to a legal case. In 2009, a 30-year-old Hsieh Tien-lin was elected speaker in a by-election, becoming Taiwan's youngest. He later partnered with Bai Min-chieh, Bai Hongsen's son, as deputy speaker. This partnership ended abruptly when Bai Min-chieh was disqualified in 2011 due to a vote-buying scandal involving his campaign staff, a rare event in local governance.

Hsu Yuan-lung succeeded Bai Min-chieh as deputy speaker and has served three terms. He is now reportedly considering a challenge for the speaker's position against Hsieh Tien-lin. With the KMT holding a majority of seats, the election outcome hinges on internal party consolidation and factional dynamics. The race for speaker is thus filled with uncertainty as the year-end elections approach.

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The KMT is working to extend its advantage in the Changhua County Council, with Hsieh Tien-lin challenging for his sixth consecutive term as speaker.