Some Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) members are in disagreement about DPP Legislator Lin Tai-hua (林岱樺) — who allegedly tried to mislead phone polls and is facing corruption charges — who continues to seek to be the party’s nomination for next year’s Kaohsiung mayoral election.
Lin at a rally on Saturday in Kaohsiung’s Gangshan District (岡山) said that she had solid support and that she is the best candidate.
The turnout, about 30,000 people, showed she is a serious contender, having built up a strong base.
Photo courtesy of Lin Tai-hua’s office
She faces stiff competition from other contenders, including legislators Hsu Chih-chieh (許智傑), Lai Jui-lung (賴瑞隆) and Chui Yi-ying (邱議瑩), who are aiming to get the party’s nomination to succeed Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chih-mai (陳其邁), whose second term is to end next year.
There are pressures within the DPP for Lin to withdraw, as she was indicted on corruption charges in June for allegedly filing fraudulent claims for assistants’ salaries to pocket NT$15 million (US$487,821); the trial is still ongoing.
After her indictment, she slid from leading the list of contenders to third place in Kaohsiung polls and high-level DPP officials have urged Lin to drop out of the race to prevent opposition parties from using the corruption charges to attack DPP candidates during next year’s elections.
Some DPP members accused Lin of trying to manipulate the poll, saying that she asked supporters to say they are from the 20-to-30 age group, which has a “higher weighted value,” when polls ask who they support.
Asked about the matter, Hsu said, “people should tell the truth, so the public polling can accurately reflect the levels of support.”
Lai said that it is best to have transparency in polling.
“I wish to see more positive talk, to present policies and the best ways to safeguard Kaohsiung and Taiwan. Let’s have an honest competition, not internal fighting that would damage our party unity,” Lai said.
In related news, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) sparked some controversy after he called on people to attend the Saturday rally.
“Lin Tai-hua is a quality legislator who has won in legislative elections seven times. She is engaged at the grassroots level, works diligently, has integrity and has garnered widespread support from Kaohsiung residents,” the minister said.
Some criticized the minister for his support of Lin Tai-hua, as she is facing corruption charges.
Lin Tai-hua said she would seek to create a new “Kaohsiung Miracle,” adding that although she has been under attack by allegations of corruption and other negative rumors, “we are overturning the situation, and together with our city residents, we will win.”
She said that she aims to fight against the monopolization of political power by the dominant party factions.
Her candidacy also represents the defiant fighting spirit of Kaohsiung residents, she said, adding that “we would not put up with others running over us and telling us whom to vote for in the party primary.”
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