Miaoli Township Chief Drops Re-Election Bid Before Deadline, Sends Wife Into Race

Gongguan Township Chief Ho Tsai-hsin changed course just before the registration deadline, withdrawing his own re-election bid and putting his wife, Yeh Mei-hui, forward instead. Although the race is uncontested, the switch surprised and unsettled local residents.

Ho explained the decision in a Facebook post on the 5th. At 65, he said, he had decided to return to the career and life plans he had set for himself. But some of his campaign promises and policies remained unfinished, requiring another four years to carry out. Yeh will therefore run for township chief, while Ho plans to live in partial retirement.

Ho said he had planned his life goals in his twenties: first to become a township chief, and later, after turning 40, not to be dependent on a salary for his livelihood. He said he had reached financial independence at 40, resigned from Taiwan Business Bank and entered electoral politics after serving in water-conservancy and township representative roles.

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Together, one person will be elected and two will serve.

He apologized for no longer being able to serve residents from the front line, but said his commitment to his hometown had not weakened. Ho said Yeh was willing to stand with him at a crucial moment and would serve residents with care, patience and efficiency.

“Together, one person will be elected and two will serve,” Ho wrote, asking residents to transfer their support for him to Yeh. He said he would not fully withdraw from public service and would continue helping her as the couple worked to shape Gongguan’s next four years.

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My heart for serving residents has not changed. I will step back without retiring completely and give my full support.