Newcomer wins Taichung council seat unopposed in a rare election upset

While some candidates fought fiercely for their seats, DPP newcomer Chan Chih-hsiang achieved what Taiwan’s election coverage called a “newcomer miracle”: he was elected on his first attempt without facing an opponent.

Registration for Taiwan’s year-end local elections closed the previous day. Taichung election officials said the city’s 3rd district, covering Wuri, Longjing and Dadu, and its 14th district, covering Dongshi, Shigang, Xinshe and Heping, both had uncontested races. Chan’s case stood out because he became the only newcomer in this election to win simply by registering as a candidate.

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I will not become complacent because of this. I will continue attending local events.

The 39-year-old Chan heads the mountain-area service office of legislator Tsai Chi-chang. He entered the race after DPP councillor Tsai Cheng-kuei, who had won five consecutive terms, announced that he would retire from electoral politics. Tsai said his family did not want to take over the seat and handed the opportunity to a younger generation.

Messages congratulating Chan arrived throughout the day, but he said the result would not make him relax. He plans to continue attending local events and assist other DPP newcomers in their campaigns, hoping more members of the younger generation will enter the council.

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I hope more members of the younger generation will enter the council.