KMT spokesman Jason Hu (
Hu, however, sought to quell speculation yesterday, saying that he had "not thought of running for commissioner yet."
"It is still too early to tell. There are more than 12 months to go. I don't know why such information has been reported at this time," Hu told reporters.
Hu said that some KMT party members had consulted him about running for the commissioner job, but that he had not yet made up his mind. Hu, nevertheless, did not reject the possibility.
He said he loved the party and would make no further comment.
According to the newspaper report, the KMT believes Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (
If Hu, who is a former minister of foreign affairs and enjoys higher popularity than Ma, runs for the Taipei County job, this would help the KMT regain control of the Taipei metropolitan area.
The report said that the KMT would make a final decision in late October on whether Hu will be its candidate for commissioner.
Other KMT figures who are interested in running include Lin Chi-chia (
The party would find ways of talking with them and would, ideally, convince them to drop out of next year's race, the report said.
The Taipei County post is now held by Su Chen-chang (
Given the electoral make-up and past voting preferences of the county, it will be difficult for the KMT to beat DPP candidates, particularly if Su runs for re-election next year.
Hu was seen as a candidate for Taipei mayor, but withdrew when Ma stood for the post.
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