Quick take: Three-way race takes shape in Hsinchu as DPP’s Chuang Ching-cheng challenges independent Ann Kao

Hsinchu’s mayoral contest may look like a three-way race, but the current balance clearly favors incumbent Mayor Ann Kao. Running as an independent, Kao has secured support from the so-called Blue-White alliance and benefits from controlling the city government, putting her well ahead of her two challengers at the starting line.

The Democratic Progressive Party’s Chuang Ching-cheng began his campaign more slowly. Over more than five months, however, he has worked extensively at the grassroots level and promoted a series of policy proposals, steadily raising his public profile. His campaign highlights the eight years of urban construction and civic pride under former mayor Lin Chih-chien, while also challenging Kao’s record and targeting weaknesses in her administration.

Kao’s record remains both an asset and a burden. She first won the mayoralty in 2022 after securing the Taiwan People’s Party nomination and entering office with support linked to the KMT’s decision to consolidate behind her. During her term, court cases involving her time as a legislator, including an assistant-expense case and a false-reporting case, as well as questions surrounding her doctoral dissertation, kept her in the national spotlight.

She was also sentenced in the first instance in a corruption case and suspended from office for one year and five months. The article says several evaluations of her administration placed it near the bottom. During her suspension, a recall campaign organized by civic groups produced the country’s highest number of votes opposing the recall at an interim review. Despite leaving the Taiwan People’s Party, Kao retained Blue-White support and remains the clear favorite for reelection.

Ho Chih-yung, a former KMT spokesman, announced his candidacy first but has not won backing from the Blue camp. Supported by a KMT think tank, he has held a series of city forums and argued that the KMT should not be absent from Hsinchu politics. Whether his independent campaign can break through the prevailing political current remains to be seen.

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A Blue-White alliance is being used to tie the Kuomintang to Kao, allowing her to lie down and win reelection. That is not democracy.