Former DPP heavyweight, Wei Yao-chieh (魏耀乾) is challenging DPP candidate Su Huan-chih (蘇煥智) by running as an independent in a bid to be Tainan County's next county commissioner.
Born into a conservative Tainan family that had close links to the KMT, Wei was an unlikely political dissident. But an influential friendship with then Taipei City Councilor Frank Hsieh (
Originally trained as a dentist, Wei said his political awakening came after the 1979 murders of former DPP chairman Lin I-hsiung's (
PHOTO: YANG CHIN-CHENG, TAIPEI TIMES
Later, in his six years as a DPP legislator, Wei frequently resorted to fist fights to make his point, often referring to his time as a dentist by saying he was going to "pull the tiger's teeth."
Noting that his time as a hardliner is over, Wei said that he now just wants to get his ideas on social welfare out into the open, regardless of whether he wins or loses the race.
"The county should integrate with [nearby] Tainan City and Chiayi County and develop into a Singapore-style economic hub for contract manufacturers' packing and marketing," Wei said.
Reiterating his pledge to take care of the elderly, Wei said that he has been greatly moved by those people over 70 years old who have attended his recent campaign rallies. He said that most of the county's older population is looking to the future commissioner to ensure that they are taken care of in their old age.
"My perspectives on social welfare differ from those of the DPP," Wei said, adding that he is fighting for the interests of the middle and lower classes.
Wei said that the ideal leader for the county would speak for disadvantaged farmers and workers and ensure that a sound social security system be put in place for them.
"Also, he should assist small and medium-sized enterprises to create new business opportunities, which will then bring in employment opportunities and income for local families," Wei said.
Placing a distant third in opinion polls, Wei has stayed in the race despite pleas from the DPP to bow out.
Denying arguments that his candidacy threatens Su's chances of winning, Wei said he might actually help Su take the county.
"I can win the votes of DPP members that turn against Su so that they don't all go to the KMT's Wu Ching-chi (
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