A rift inside Taiwan's opposition KMT is on public display, as Changhua County Magistrate Wang Hui-mei again avoided appearing alongside party chair Cheng Li-wun — bad news for the party's hopes of a united local election campaign.

• Cheng took the party's traveling leadership meeting to Changhua to back the KMT's nominee for county chief, Wei Ping-cheng.
• Wang has now skipped four of these events in three weeks, calling in absent again despite having no public schedule that afternoon.
• On one earlier occasion she appeared with President Lai Ching-te instead, deepening the impression of a snub.
• Party secretary-general Li Chien-lung insisted the invitation was extended, that Wang is not angry, and that she will fall back in line.
• Cheng brushed off questions about the failed reconciliation with a smile and a thank-you.

Outlook: Unless Wang publicly backs the party's nominee soon, the KMT heads into the local elections with an open split in one of its own strongholds.