Why Wang Huei-mei Is Not Supporting Wei Ping-cheng? Media Analyst Reveals 'Tension Between Two KMT Heavyweights': Changhua Election Outlook Not Optimistic

KMT-affiliated Changhua County Magistrate Wang Huei-mei has repeatedly been absent from campaign events supporting her party's county magistrate candidate, Wei Ping-cheng. On the 19th, KMT Chairperson Cheng Li-chun stated during a Central Standing Committee meeting that Wang 'is still observing who can succeed as county magistrate,' and therefore Wei must prove that the leadership transition will not fail. In response, senior media analyst Dong Chih-sen analyzed on a news program that the tension between Cheng Li-chun and New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih indirectly affects the election situation in Changhua.

Dong Chih-sen believes the current impasse in Changhua is primarily the responsibility of the KMT Central Committee. When Cheng Li-chun was first elected party chair, the Xizhou Hsieh family declared they would not support Hsieh I-feng, a legislator and sister of Hsieh Tien-lin, to run for Changhua County Magistrate, in order to secure Hsieh Tien-lin's position as speaker. Despite continued efforts by the KMT Central Committee to persuade the Hsieh family, they remained firm: 'If the younger brother (Hsieh Tien-lin) becomes speaker, the older sister (Hsieh I-feng) cannot become county magistrate, because such a 'guī wǎn pěng' (taking the whole bowl) political arrangement is unacceptable.'

Dong Chih-sen pointed out that after the Hsieh family's refusal, two individuals within the KMT expressed interest in running for Changhua County Magistrate: Ko Cheng-fang, former deputy county magistrate of Changhua, and Hung Jung-chang. Ko Cheng-fang is the nephew of Ko Ming-mou, leader of Changhua's local faction 'White Faction,' and has strong local influence. Hung Jung-chang is the chief director of the Changhua County Industrial Development and Investment Promotion Committee and formerly served as director of the KMT Nantou County Party Branch, with considerable local strength.

However, ultimately, the KMT Central Committee did not consider these two candidates.

Dong Chih-sen emphasized that Wang Huei-mei's preferred successor is Liu Ho-jan, Deputy Mayor of New Taipei City and a native of Changhua. Liu holds a Ph.D. in Management from National Taiwan University of Science and Technology and was mentored by Hou Yu-ih, giving him excellent administrative capabilities. However, as one of Hou Yu-ih's most trusted allies, Liu has been cold-shouldered by the KMT Central Committee.

Dong Chih-sen explained that the root cause of the current impasse in Changhua is the tension between Cheng Li-chun and Hou Yu-ih. When Hou Yu-ih ran for president in the past, Cheng Li-chun did not express support and was even seen as 'dragging him down.' After Cheng was elected KMT Chairperson, she should have worked to mend their relationship, but the two have had no contact since.

Ultimately, this tension has affected Changhua, leading Dong Chih-sen to conclude that the KMT's election prospects in Changhua are not optimistic.