Ssu Kuang-yang registers to run for Taoyuan city councillor, forgoing KMT nomination in favour of a "reported" candidacy
The race for Taoyuan city councillor has taken another turn: Ssu Kuang-yang, son of KMT legislator Wan Mei-ling, has voluntarily given up the party's nomination and will instead run as a "reported" candidate — unwelcome news for the blue camp's efforts to consolidate its vote.
- Ssu Kuang-yang completed his registration as a city councillor candidate at the Taoyuan Election Commission this afternoon.
- He said he had faced considerable smearing and attacks during the campaign period, and gave up the nomination so as not to drag down fellow party members.
- He stressed that he would still fight to win a crucial seat for the KMT, and that he fully backs Mayor Chang San-cheng.
- He is campaigning on five years of experience in the legislature and at a constituency service office, giving him familiarity with both central and local affairs.
- On the university cheating allegations that have drawn outside attention, he said National Taipei University is still investigating and he would not comment for now.
Outlook: A "reported" candidacy means the blue camp could end up fighting among itself in this constituency. Whether the camp can subsequently consolidate, along with the outcome of National Taipei University's investigation, will shape his prospects.