The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) has set the goal of reversing the momentum for the Nov. 29 Greater Taichung mayoral election by the time the party’s national convention is held in September after a recent poll showed that Democratic Progressive Party challenger Lin Chia-lung’s (林佳龍) lead over KMT incumbent Jason Hu (胡志強) has been reduced to about 10 percentage points, party sources said yesterday.
Hu has been nominated by the KMT to secure its stronghold in central Taiwan. However, that Hu has already served 13 years as mayor is perceived by many as a liability.
Polls conducted by local -Chinese-language media outlets at one point showed Hu trailing Lin by 20 percentage points.
However, a recent poll suggested that the margin has been shortened to about 10 percentage points, which made the party reconsider its strategies, party sources said, adding that analysts within the party said that the KMT would need between 150,000 and 170,000 votes to win if a margin of 10 percent remains, based on voting records last time.
If the party succeeds in rallying pan-blue supporters behind Hu, the number of votes required to secure the victory could be reduced to between 50,000 and 70,000, the sources quoted party analysts as saying.
Meanwhile, the KMT has stepped up its mayoral campaign work in Greater Taichung by highlighting Hu’s performance over the past 13 years, sources said.
KMT insiders said that the KMT national convention in September would be a great opportunity to demonstrate the party’s determination to win the election.
In terms of the campaign in Greater Taichung, party sources said the KMT headquarters hoped to reverse the momentum by the time the party national convention is held and enable Hu to lead all the way until the election.
The souces also quoted party analysts as suggesting that consolidating pan-blue support would be key in the mayoral elections.
The nine-in-one elections are to be held on Nov. 29, with polling stations to be open from 8am to 4pm.
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