Cheng Chao-fang to Run for Hsinchu County Magistrate? DPP Committee to Discuss on May 27

(CNA, Taipei, May 20) The Taiwan People's Party (TPP) announced today that it will nominate Hsinchu City Deputy Mayor Chiu Chen-yuan to run for mayor of Zhubei City, Hsinchu County. The incumbent Zhubei Mayor, Cheng Chao-fang of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), has not registered for re-election, drawing significant attention to whether he will seek to run for Hsinchu County Magistrate. The DPP's Election Strategy Committee is expected to meet on the 27th, where further discussions on the Hsinchu County election strategy are anticipated. TPP Chairman Huang Kuo-chang stated today that the party will nominate Hsinchu City Deputy Mayor Chiu Chen-yuan to run for Zhubei Mayor. The Hsinchu City Government confirmed that Chiu submitted his resignation yesterday, which became effective today. At a press conference following the Central Standing Committee meeting this afternoon, DPP spokesperson Wu Cheng was asked by the media whether Cheng Chao-fang's decision not to register for the Zhubei mayoral race was part of a strategy for Hsinchu County. Wu said that the party's central headquarters cannot answer for Cheng's personal plans. As for the DPP's strategy for the 2026 local elections, it will be announced to the public after a formal decision by the DPP's Election Strategy Committee. To his knowledge, the committee will provide a further report soon. According to sources, the DPP's Election Strategy Committee has scheduled a meeting for the morning of the 27th, where the strategy for the Hsinchu County Magistrate election is expected to be discussed. (Editor: Hsieh Chia-chen)