A former Hsinchu culture bureau chief known for turning against ex-mayor Ann Kao has entered the city council race, framing it as a fight to restore honesty in local government.

• Chien Kang-ming registered to run for city councilor in Hsinchu's East District.
• He also backed He Zhi-yong, who comes from the Kuomintang side, in the city's mayoral race.
• He is running on almost no money — it took three banks to scrape together the deposit, and a single campaign vest is his only gear.
• He wants to move from the government side to the council side so he can watch over city hall rather than work inside it.
• His pitch to voters is to serve as his volunteers, since he has no campaign machine behind him.

Outlook: A low-budget outsider bid that will test how much the backlash against Hsinchu's former mayor still moves local voters.