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Taiwan's Changhua mayoral race: DPP candidate claims 50-50 political split, KMT feels threatened

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • The Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) candidate for Changhua mayor, Huang Po-yu, claims the political landscape in Changhua City is now a 50-50 split between the DPP and the KMT.
  • Huang cites recent election data showing the DPP's strength in presidential and legislative races as evidence that the KMT feels threatened and is rushing to consolidate its nomination.
  • He believes the key to winning the mayoral election lies in securing the support of swing voters, as the traditional blue (KMT) advantage has diminished.

Changhua City's mayoral election is shaping up to be a direct contest between the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the Kuomintang (KMT), with DPP candidate Huang Po-yu asserting that the traditional blue advantage has eroded. Huang, a former county councilor, believes the city's political map has shifted to a near 50-50 split between the two major parties, a dynamic he says is causing the KMT to feel threatened and rush its nomination process.

Changhua City is not like traditional deep-blue constituencies such as Miaoli, Hsinchu, Hualien, or Taitung.

— Huang Po-yuDPP candidate for Changhua mayor, comparing the city's political leanings to other regions.

Huang points to election data from the Central Election Commission to support his claim. He notes that the DPP has won the mayoral race in Changhua City for the past four terms, with former mayors Chiu Chien-fu and Lin Shih-hsien each serving two terms. Furthermore, he highlights that DPP presidential candidates have secured over half the votes in the city for the last three presidential elections, and legislator Huang Hsiu-fang also won with over 50% of the vote in her district during the 2024 legislative elections.

"Changhua City is not like traditional deep-blue constituencies such as Miaoli, Hsinchu, Hualien, or Taitung," Huang stated, emphasizing that the DPP now possesses the strength to win a majority in the city. He interprets the KMT's internal coordination issues and their decision to use internal polls for nomination as proof that they recognize the threat posed by the DPP.

The authorities want to create an atmosphere of emergency, intimidate the public, and provide an alibi for the potential banning of opposition and student organizations.

— Huang Po-yuDPP candidate for Changhua mayor, commenting on the KMT's perceived threat.

Huang argues that if the KMT held a clear advantage, they would not fear internal divisions. The fact that they are rushing to a "PK match" (a head-to-head contest) indicates they are trying to recover from a disadvantage. He believes the election will be highly competitive, with swing voters ultimately deciding the outcome. Huang plans to actively seek the support of these crucial middle-ground voters in his campaign.

The fact that they are rushing to a 'PK match' indicates they are trying to recover from a disadvantage.

— Huang Po-yuDPP candidate for Changhua mayor, interpreting the KMT's nomination strategy.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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