Yilan Meat Market Chief Resigns to Run for Township Chief, Sparking Four-Way Race

Yiu Mei-lan, the general manager of Yilan Meat Market, has announced her resignation, effective July 1, to enter the race for township chief of Zhuangwei as an independent candidate. Her decision intensifies the upcoming township chief election, turning it into a competitive four-way contest. The departure of the incumbent, KMT-affiliated Zhuangwei Township Chief Shen Ching-shan, who is term-limited and moving to run for county councilor, has opened the field. Initially, the KMT saw a split in its nomination process, with Township Office Secretary Chang Chia-hao eventually securing the party's backing over former township representative chairman Chan Wang-pin's wife, Chang Chiu-hsiang. Chang Chiu-hsiang has since declared her own independent candidacy. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has nominated Wu Wen-chin, former director of the office of legislator Chen Ou-po. Meanwhile, Yiu Mei-lan, a member of the current county magistrate Lin Tzu-miao's administration team, is also entering the fray. Her political affiliation is not clearly defined, and she has been actively engaging with local communities for the past six months, signaling her electoral ambitions. Chang Chia-hao, nephew of former Zhuangwei Township Chief Chang Chang-lin, has 16 years of experience in the township office and has been preparing for this run for years, presenting himself as a young and energetic candidate. Chang Chiu-hsiang is running under the banner of "bravely taking responsibility" following the passing of her husband, Chan Wang-pin, last year. Wu Wen-chin, who has had limited grassroots engagement, faces a challenging district that has been governed by the KMT for 16 consecutive years. However, the DPP hopes to capitalize on a divided KMT vote and consolidate its own base. Yiu Mei-lan's resignation from her position at the Yilan Meat Market is seen as a demonstration of her firm resolve. She has unveiled a nine-point policy platform for a "New Future for Zhuangwei." Key proposals include increasing the Chongyang Festival (Double Ninth Festival) gift for seniors, raising the amount for those aged 65-79 from NT$800 to NT$1,000, and for those aged 80-89 from NT$1,000 to NT$1,500. Additionally, she plans to provide a monthly subsidy of NT$2,000 per child for infants and toddlers aged 0-2, aiming to alleviate the financial burden on young families.