Taiwan’s main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) is planning to name incumbent Legislator Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) as its candidate in the Taipei mayor race slated for November this year, sources from the party said Sunday.
Chiang, who will complete home quarantine and self-health management on May 25 after contracting COVID-19, will accept the candidacy later in that day during a meeting of the party’s Central Standing Committee, according to sources.
The 43-year-old Chiang is expected to deliver a few remarks on his mayoral campaign, sources said.
The party will also nominate former KMT Legislator Hsieh Kuo-liang (謝國樑) to run for Keelung mayor, as well as Legislator Hsu Shu-hua (許淑華) for Nantou County magistrate, sources said.
In response, Chiang told CNA that if he secures the KMT nomination, he will spare no effort in the Nov. 26 election, adding that he and his team have been preparing to make the most of such an opportunity.
Recent polls indicate that the Taipei mayoral election could be a close run three-way race, although none of the potential party candidates have yet been officially selected.
One of the possible scenarios would pit Chiang as the KMT nominee against Health Minister Chen Shih-chung (陳時中) of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) with Taipei Deputy Mayor Huang Shan-shan (黃珊珊) running as an independent or third party candidate.
Early indications suggest none of the potential candidates has secured a notable lead across a range of hypothetical match-ups, including the much-hyped potential Chiang-Chen contest.
In the past, the Taipei mayorship has served as a stepping stone to the presidency in Taiwan, as it was previously held by former presidents Lee Teng-hui (李登輝), Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九).
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel