The race for Hualien County Magistrate has officially begun, with the pan-blue vote split among three candidates — bad news for the Kuomintang (KMT), but an opportunity for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

• Ji'an Township Mayor Yu Shu-chen, the KMT's nominee, completed her registration accompanied by Fu Kun-chi and incumbent Magistrate Hsu Chen-wei, campaigning on the continuation of existing social welfare policies.
• County Council Speaker Chang Chun is running as an independent; a KMT veteran, he has won DPP backing and is calling for a cross-party alliance to transform Hualien.
• Former Hualien City Mayor Wei Chia-hsien has also entered the race as an independent, likewise with a KMT background, meaning all three are competing for the same bloc of pan-blue votes.
• Lo Pei-chin of the Taiwan Labour Party is running after taking part in relief efforts following last year's flooding in Guangfu Township, campaigning on a monthly NT$2,000 consumer voucher — a reflection of grassroots discontent over the sluggish economy.

Outlook: With the pan-blue vote split three ways, if Chang Chun can consolidate the non-blue forces, Hualien — long a KMT stronghold — could be in play.