PFP Vice Chairman Chang Chao-hsiung (
Chang Chao-hsiung, who was representing the PFP in a three-way contest for the pan-blue camp's nomination, said he had made the decision for the good of cooperation between his party and the KMT.
Born and raised in Kaohsiung City, Chang Chao-hsiung said he cared a lot for his hometown and that was the reason why he had decided to run for the mayoral post in the first place.
"Out of respect for the opposition parties' cooperation, I have been keeping a low campaign profile all along," said Chang, who was persuaded by his party to stand for election three months ago.
"For the sake of pushing for a quick and smooth nomination process among the opposition parties, I've decided to withdraw from the nomination," he said.
Chang's withdrawal left two candidates, former Kaohsiung deputy mayor Huang Jun-ying (
Earlier last week, former DPP chairman Shih Ming-teh (
At a press conference to announce his withdrawal from the race yesterday, Chang Chao-hsiung threw his weight behind Chang Po-ya, saying she was the best choice for Kaohsiung voters.
"The candidacies of all the nominees are good, but [Kaohsiung residents] ought to choose the best of them all, [someone] who is capable, determined, honest, upright and with a vision," he said, adding that his party also regarded Chang Po-ya as the best candidate.
Chang Po-ya, who sat next to Chang Chao-hsiung during the press conference, said she appreciated his support and respected his decision to withdraw.
She said that a united opposition was necessary to win the election.
"I hope that the opposition party nomination process can proceed and develop smoothly and thus, without a hitch, nominate a candidate to run for the Kaohsiung mayoral post," she said.
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