Quick take: Hsinchu County’s blue-green contest could restore a green stronghold after 25 years

Hsinchu County’s year-end magistrate race looks like another blue-green contest, but the political weather is unusually unsettled. Three candidates are running: Kuomintang candidate Hsu Hsin-ying, Democratic Progressive Party candidate Cheng Chao-fang and independent political newcomer Chu Ting-yu.

The Kuomintang’s campaign has been complicated by the collapse of a blue-white alliance in Zhubei and by the stance of Cheng Chien-hsien, Hsu’s strongest internal rival. After stepping aside, Cheng did not issue the customary call for unity, leaving the party with an open wound.

The dispute centers heavily on questions about Hsu’s credibility. The article points to her repeated moves in and out of the Kuomintang and her handling of the blue-white alliance issue. During the primary, supporters and allied voices attacked Cheng, a nearly 50-year party member and former deputy magistrate. Although Hsu denied ordering the attacks, the backlash has continued to follow her.

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integrity

Cheng’s withdrawal statement repeatedly invoked “integrity” and expressed his grievances without ending in a tearful appeal for unity. In Zhubei, a major Taiwan People’s Party base, the failed alliance has angered many of its supporters. Some have called for votes for the DPP or invalid ballots rather than the Kuomintang. Persuading those voters and Cheng’s supporters not to treat the election as a chance to punish Hsu is therefore a central challenge for her campaign.

The DPP has not won Hsinchu County for 25 years, and its core support is estimated at no more than 40%. Cheng entered Zhubei with more than 40% of the vote, and his performance in office has won broad recognition. Even Ko Wen-je has described him as “not so green” and able to attract white-camp votes. The DPP sees a chance to break its ceiling, while still confronting the long-standing “money-power” label attached to Cheng’s family. Its strategy focuses on holding Zhudong, winning Hukou and securing a major victory in Zhubei, which together account for more than 77% of the county’s population.

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not so green