The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) could draft former KMT chairman Johnny Chiang (江啟臣) as its candidate for the New Taipei City mayoral by-election if New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜) runs for president next year, party sources said.
Although Chiang, who is currently a legislator, has focused on cultivating influence in Taichung where his constituency is, he is the son-in-law of former national policy adviser Liu Sheng-liang (劉盛良) and brother-in-law to New Taipei City Councilor Liu Che-chang (劉哲彰), a New Taipei City source said.
The Liu family is influential in New Taipei City, the source said, adding that Chiang’s establishment of the Foundation for the People in New Taipei City in March last year has been seen as a move to expand his network in the area.
Photo: Lo Pei-de, Taipei Times
Sources from the KMT said that while Hou has not explicitly stated whether he would run for president, the party could “draft” him to run on the party’s ticket, which could lead to a by-election for the mayoral position in New Taipei City.
While Hou might prefer to have New Taipei City Deputy Mayor Liu He-jan (劉和然) take over, Liu He-jan is an administrator with no experience running election campaigns, the KMT sources said, adding that Liu He-jan is not very well-known.
Chiang has said he might run for Taichung mayor in 2026, but some of his confidants have suggested that Chiang should instead aim his sights toward New Taipei City, which has more significant political and strategic value, and would not require waiting four years, KMT sources said.
Photo: CNA
Liu Che-chang said he was not aware that Chiang had plans to move his registered residence to New Taipei City.
Liu Che-chang said he and Chiang have standing agreements to establish joint offices, and the foundation doubled as his New Taipei City councilor’s office.
Chiang’s office yesterday denied that he would consider running in the event of a New Taipei City mayoral by-election, adding that Chiang has never discussed the issue with Hou.
The office said Chiang is focused on his legislative duties and obtaining funding for projects in his constituency, adding that Chiang is looking forward to winning another term in the Legislative Yuan in the 2024 elections.
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