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.
PHOTO: LIN YA-LI, TAIPEI TIMES
"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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