Greater Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu (陳菊) yesterday stepped up her campaign for re-election, taking a leave of absence to start a nine-day street campaign canvassing for votes before the Nov. 29 elections.
Yesterday marked the start of the official two-week campaign period, according to Central Election Commission regulations.
Chen said that her campaign had started later than other candidates because she had been occupied with rebuilding areas damaged by the gas pipeline explosions months ago.
Photo: Huang Chih-yuan, Taipei Times
Gas explosions ripped through the city’s Cianjhen (前鎮) and Lingya (苓雅) districts late on July 31 and into the early hours of Aug. 1, claiming 30 lives, injuring more than 300 and destroying 1.5km of roadways.
Despite her late start, Chen said she was certain that the public have observed what is happening and can distinguish between right and wrong.
“I have chosen to be on the side of the people, and I am certain they will reciprocate with their warm support,” she said.
Photo: Chang Chung-yi, Taipei Times
Over the nine days, Chen, a member of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), said she would be visiting all 28 districts and 39 major temples in the city and report directly to the public on what the city government has done over the past four years.
Aside from tending to her own elections, Chen also called on Kaohsiung voters to support DPP city councilor candidates.
Chen’s Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) opponent, Yang Chiu-hsing (楊秋興), also started canvassing for votes yesterday, standing on the intersection of Boai 1st Road and Dashun Road and waving to passing motorists. Many passers-by responded by waving back, flashing their lights or honking their horns.
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