The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) yesterday announced its nominees for November’s special municipality elections after finalizing its candidate for Greater Tainan.
The KMT had struggled to finalize the nominee in Greater Tainan as former KMT legislator Kuo Tien-tsai (郭添財) and Lee Chuan-chiao (李全教) were tied in two polls. KMT Secretary-General King Pu-tsung (金溥聰) yesterday announced the nomination of Kuo after several rounds of negotiations with the pair.
King announced the list of nominees for the five special municipality elections after the party’s central nomination review committee held a meeting yesterday to determine the candidates.
Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌) will represent the party in Taipei City and seek re-election.
Vice Premier Eric Chu (朱立倫) will be the candidate in the Sinbei City (Taipei County’s name after it is upgraded) race and Taichung City Mayor Jason Hu (胡志強) in Greater Taichung. KMT Legislator Huang Chao-shun (黃昭順) will run in Greater Kaohsiung.
King yesterday thanked Lee for showing his loyalty to the party and for his willingness to make compromises. He lauded Lee for being a great politician and said the party will continue to use his talent in the future.
King also reiterated his appreciation for Taipei County Commissioner Chou Hsi-wei (周錫瑋) for withdrawing from the Sinbei race and promoting party unity.
“The integration process went smoothly and the hopefuls who did not win also agree to give full support to party candidates. We will now start preparations for election victory in November,” he said at KMT headquarters.
The KMT began the nomination process earlier this year and drew up its list through polls and negotiations.
It will complete the nomination procedures by presenting the list to its Central Standing Committee today for final approval.
King said the party was not competing with the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) regarding the nomination process.
The DPP has yet to finalize its list for Taipei and Sinbei as well as Greater Taichung although it has selected its candidates for Greater Kaohsiung and Greater Tainan. The nomination list is expected to be released next Wednesday, but party officials said the date could be pushed back if its nominating team were unable to come to a conclusion.
The special municipality elections will be held on Nov. 27.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY STAFF WRITER
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