Taiwan's KMT is trying to paper over a bruising internal fight in Hsinchu County, and the deputy county chief's refusal to reopen the race is good news for the party's official candidate.

• Hsinchu County deputy chief Chen Chien-hsien said he will not break a promise he made, ruling out a challenge despite supporters urging him to run.
• Hsu Hsin-ying, the KMT's nominee for county chief, registered her candidacy with party chair Cheng Li-wen at her side.
• Hsu's office called for unity, saying it hopes to hold Hsinchu with Chen in the final stretch of the campaign.
• The rift from the party's primary has not fully healed, and the KMT is trying to protect eight years of control in the county.
• Party figures are framing the vote as the start of another decade in power, with Zhubei and Zhudong named as the seats to win back.

Outlook: With voting a bit under three months away, the KMT will push for a show of unity, but whether Chen's backers turn out for Hsu is the open question.