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### Viewing cable 05TAIPEI4158, TAIWAN'S DECEMBER ELECTION: REFERENCE GUIDE

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Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
05TAIPEI4158 | 2005-10-12 09:25 | 2011-08-23 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | American Institute Taiwan, Taipei

`

    This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

    120925Z Oct 05

` `

    UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 09 TAIPEI 004158

    SIPDIS

    SENSITIVE

    STATE PASS AIT/W

    E.O. 12958: N/A
    TAGS: PGOV TW
    SUBJECT: TAIWAN'S DECEMBER ELECTION:  REFERENCE GUIDE

    REF: TAIPEI 3642

    ¶1.  On December 3 Taiwan will hold key local "three-in-one"
    elections for (1) county magistrates and city mayors, (2)
    county and city councilors, and (3) township and village
    chiefs.  The county magistrate and city mayor elections,
    however, are receiving the lion's share of media attention as
    a test of strength between ruling and opposition parties and
    as an indicator of trends heading into legislative and
    presidential elections in 2007 and 2008.  A total of 77
    candidates are registered to run in the 18 county magistrate
    elections and five city mayor elections (excluding Taipei
    City and Kaohsiung City, which hold mayoral elections in
    2006).  The competition is primarily between the "Pan-Green"
    (independence-leaning) Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and
    the "Pan-Blue" (tending toward improving relations with the
    PRC) Kuomintang (KMT), with several smaller parties and
    independent candidates also vying for positions.  The fellow
    Pan-Green Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) has only one
    candidate for mayor in Tainan, while the Pan-Blue People's
    First Party (PFP) and New Party have five candidates in play
    in various elections.

    ¶2.  KMT officials hope to win back Taipei, Ilan, and Nantou
    Counties.  On the other hand, the DPP hopes to take one or
    more counties from the KMT but faces strong challenges in
    Taipei and Ilan Counties, and Chiayi City.  The DPP is
    concerned about the effect of negative publicity from recent
    scandals on party election prospects, and the KMT hopes to
    gain a boost from its new Chairman, the youthful and
    energetic Ma Ying-jeou.  The most important race for both
    parties is Taipei County, which is by far the most populous
    electoral district on the island.

    ¶3.  Following is a catalogue of Taiwan's 23 election
    districts with lists of registered candidates, biographical
    notes, and an early status report, jointly prepared by AIT/T
    and AIT/K.

    ------------
    Keelung City
    ------------

    Candidates:

    KMT:  Hsu Tsai-li (Incumbent)
    Keelung native; served as member and Speaker of Keelung City
    Council for 20 years.

    PFP:  Liu Wen-hsiung (LY Member, Keelung City)
    Keelung native; Legislative Yuan (LY) Member since 1998,
    first for the KMT, then re-elected for the PFP in 2001 and
    ¶2004.

    TSU:  Chen Chien-ming (former TSU Secretary General)

    SIPDIS
    Left KMT to join TSU in 2001; served as LY Member for Taipei
    City, 2001-2004.

    Comment:  Both Pan-Blue coalition candidates, KMT's Hsu and
    PFP's Liu, insist on staying in the race, with Liu citing
    Hsu,s age and health problems (diabetes) as a reason to run.
     The DPP nominee (Wang Tuo) dropped out of the race October 3
    and endorsed TSU candidate Chen, giving the Pan-Green
    coalition a single candidate around whom to rally.  While
    this might enhance Chen,s chances by dividing the Pan-Blue
    vote (which occurred in 1997), Chen is not a Keelung native
    and has not previously been involved in Keelung politics.
    Furthermore, recent surveys conducted by Era TV, United Daily
    News (UDN), and the China Times show Pan-Blue candidates
    leading the Pan-Green candidates by a small margin, but with
    a significant number of undecided voters.  (Comment:  While
    Taiwan media polls have often proven unreliable in previous
    elections, they can offer some indications of trends.  With
    that healthy measure of caution, we will include them in this
    early pre-campaign preview.  End comment.)

    -------------
    Taipei County
    -------------

    Candidates:
    DPP:  Lo Wen-jia
    Taipei City native; former Vice Chair of the Council of Hakka
    Affairs; served as campaign manager for President Chen
    Shui-bian and as LY Member for Taipei City (2001-2004).

    KMT:  Chou Hsi-wei
    Taipei County native; MPA from University of Southern
    California; served as LY Member for Taipei County since 1998;
    served in Taiwan Provincial Assembly (1994-1998).

    Comment:  Lo, who is popular among younger voters and is a
    proven campaign organizer, is emphasizing his Hakka ancestry
    to attract votes from this sizable minority in Taipei County.
     His strategy of keeping his distance from the DPP leadership
    in a county that has a majority of Pan-Blue voters may also
    improve his vote.  Meanwhile, public opinion polls show Lo
    and Chou nearly even, with Chou's popularity on the decline.
    Chou left the PFP to rejoin the KMT earlier this year,
    believing it would strengthen his chances of being elected in
    Taipei county.  He is turning to the popular new KMT
    Chairman, Ma Ying-jeou, for support in hopes of winning the
    county back from the DPP for the first time in 16 years.

    --------------
    Taoyuan County
    --------------

    KMT:  Eric Chu Li-lun (Incumbent)
    Earned M.A. and Ph.D. from New York University; taught at
    National Taiwan University; served as LY Member, Taoyuan
    County (1998-2001).

    DPP:  Cheng Pao-ching
    Served as LY member (1995-2001); appointed Chairman of
    state-run Taiwan Salt Corp. after failing in his bid for a
    third term.

    Comment:  Chu tied for the highest approval ratings of all
    city mayors and county magistrates in Taiwan according to a
    Commonwealth Monthly poll in September.  To date, DPP
    candidate Cheng Pao-ching has made little progress attracting
    voters in what is widely considered a safe Blue county.  The
    withdrawal of a second Pan-Blue PFP candidate only increased
    Chu,s lead.

    ------------
    Hsinchu City
    ------------

    Candidates:

    KMT:  Lin Cheng-che (Incumbent)
    Hsinchu native; M.A. from National University (U.S.).

    DPP:  Chen Hui-yuan (Hsinchu City Councilor)
    Member of Hsinchu City Council for 12 years; served as Chen
    Shui-bian,s Hsinchu City campaign manager in 2000 and 2004.

    Comment:  Lin is maintaining a large lead over Chen in all
    public opinion polls to date.  The September Commonwealth
    Monthly survey found almost 73 percent of Hsinchu City
    residents are satisfied with Lin's performance as Mayor.
    Recent China Times polls similarly show Lin with 50 percent
    support to Chen's seven percent, and 43 percent of poll
    respondents still undecided.

    --------------
    Hsinchu County
    --------------

    Candidates:

    KMT:  Cheng Yung-chin (Incumbent)
    Hsinchu native; served as Member, Deputy Speaker, and Speaker
    of Hsinchu County Council (1992-1997); served as Hsinchu
    County Legislator (1997-2001).

    DPP:  Lin Kuang-hua (Taiwan Provincial Governor)
    Hsinchu native; served as Member of Hsinchu County Council,
    Hsinchu County Legislator (1992-1997), and Hsinchu County
    Magistrate (1997-2001).

    Comment:  Cheng received the third highest approval rating in
    the September Commonwealth Monthly survey of Taiwan county
    magistrates and city mayors.  The DPP is not optimistic about
    winning Hsinchu County, but Lin is trying to use Cheng,s
    earlier pledge not to seek reelection to attack his
    credibility.  The charge has not struck much resonance,
    however, as Cheng,s poll numbers have continued to rise.  In
    an October 3 UDN poll, 47 percent of respondents favored
    Cheng, though 38 percent remained undecided.

    -------------
    Miaoli County
    -------------

    Candidates:

    KMT:  Liu Cheng-hung (LY Member)
    Miaoli native; has served as LY Member from Miaoli since
    1998; earlier served in Miaoli City Council for eight years.

    DPP:  Chiu Ping-kun
    Miaoli native; served as Mayor of Miaoli City for eight years
    and before that served on the Miaoli City Council.

    Independent:  Hsu Yao-chang
    Miaoli native; has served as LY Member from Miaoli County
    since 2001; served as Toufeng Town Chief; a PFP member, Hsu
    is running as independent.

    Comment:  Incumbent County Magistrate Fu Hsueh-peng, an
    independent not running for reelection, has agreed to
    cooperate with the DPP and support DPP candidate Chiu, who
    withdrew from the KMT to join the DPP after the KMT nominated
    a non-Hakka politician as its candidate in the race.  Chiu
    may be hurt by President Chen Shui-bian,s reported promise
    of a Central Government job for Fu if Chiu wins.  Although
    the KMT's Liu has a modest lead in recent Era TV and China
    Times polls, his chances may be jeopardized by PFP Legislator
    Hsu Yao-chang,s insistence on running as an independent
    Hakka candidate who can unite the county's Hakka majority,
    thus splitting the Pan-Blue vote in what is usually a
    strongly Blue county.  Three other independent candidates are
    also running in this race, but they are not considered viable
    candidates and were not included in recent polls.

    -------------
    Taichung City
    -------------

    Candidates:

    KMT:  Jason Hu Chih-chiang (Incumbent)
    Born in China; Ph.D. from Oxford University; served as
    Director of Government Information Office, Taiwan
    Representative to the United States, Foreign Minister, and
    KMT Secretary-General.

    PFP:  Shen Chih-hui (LY Member, Taichung City)
    Taichung City native; Taichung City LY Member since 1989; KMT
    member before joining PFP in 2000; background in journalism.

    DPP:  Lin Chia-lung
    Taichung City native; Ph.D. from Yale; former Director of the
    Government Information Office; served on the National
    Security Council; served as member of the National Assembly.

    Independent:  Lee Fu-kui

    Comment:  Hu,s health has remained a concern since he
    suffered from a minor stroke last year.  Lin is young, has a
    good public image, and has the full support from President
    Chen Shui-bian and other DPP leaders.  Shen may withdraw from
    the election depending on the outcome of the on-going
    negotiations between the KMT and the PFP.  Hu, however, has a
    considerable lead in the polls. The latest Era TV poll in
    August Hu had 48 percent support, DPP challenger Lin had 25
    percent support, and Shen about 7 percent.
    ---------------
    Taichung County
    ---------------

    Candidates:

    KMT:  Huang Chung-sheng (Incumbent)
    Taichung native; served as Chief Secretary of the Wuchi Town
    Farmers Association and an advisor to the KMT and the China
    Youth Corps.

    DPP:  Chiu Tai-san (Vice Chairman, MAC)
    Taichung native; LY Member, Taichung County (1998-2004);
    served as Vice Chairman of the Mainland Affairs Council
    (2004-2005).

    Independent:  Lin Cheng-chang

    Comment:  Despite incumbent KMT County Magistrate Huang,s
    deep ties with local factions and high approval ratings in
    recent months, he faces a strong challenge from the DPP's
    Chiu.  Independent candidate Lin is probably not a serious
    threat to either candidate.  The DPP views Taichung County as
    an important battleground and potential win for the party.
    The young and energetic Chiu is backed by President Chen
    Shui-bian and the DPP,s New Tide Faction.  Although Huang
    had a healthy 16-point lead in the September Commonwealth
    Magazine poll, nearly half of poll respondents were
    undecided.  The DPP is hoping for a last minute surge in
    support in Taichung County, which gave DPP President Chen
    Shui-bian 55 percent of the vote in the 2004 presidential
    election.

    ---------------
    Changhua County
    ---------------

    Candidates:

    KMT:  Cho Po-yuan (LY Member, Changhua County)
    Changhua County native; served as deputy magistrate of
    Changhua County and member of the Changhua County Council; LY
    Member, Changhua County, since 2001.

    DPP:  Weng Chin-chu (Incumbent)
    Changhua County native; served as member of the National
    Assembly; served as LY Member, Changhua County (1992-2001).

    Independent: Chen Chin-ting (LY Member, Changhua County)
    Member of Nonpartisan Solidarity Union (NSU) party; former
    National Assembly Member; business background.

    Comment:  A member of the DPP New Tide Faction, incumbent
    Magistrate Weng has been preparing for her reelection for a
    long time.  With a potential PFP candidate already out of the
    race, Weng will be facing Cho head-to-head, and a late
    September UDN poll shows Weng with a slight lead. Independent
    Chen has only marginal support.

    -------------
    Nantou County
    -------------

    Candidates:

    KMT:  Lee Chao-ching (Mayor, Nantou City)
    Former Nantou County Councilor; former director of the Nantou
    City KMT branch office.

    DPP:  Tsai Huang-lang
    Nantou County native; Nantou LY Member for 10 years; resigned
    earlier this year to run for magistrate; served as Chairman
    of the DPP Nantou County Committee, 1994-1995.

    Independent:  Lin Tsung-nan (Incumbent)
    Nantou County native; M.A. from Meiji University in Japan;
    withdrew from the DPP after failing to win the DPP,s
    nomination.

    Independent:  Lin Ming-chen (Nantou County Council)
    KMT member who lost the KMT nomination.

    Comment:  The Nantou County election is complicated by the
    presence of two independent candidates, Lin Tsung-nan and Lin
    Ming-chen.  When they lost their respective DPP and KMT party
    nominations, both bolted to run as independents.  Polling by
    the China Times shows the two Pan-Greens with a moderate lead
    in the county, with DPP Tsai and Green Independent Lin
    Tsung-nan almost tied.

    SIPDIS

    -------------
    Yunlin County
    -------------

    Candidates:

    KMT:  Hsu Shu-po (LY Member, Yunlin)
    Graduate of Luven University (Belgium); former Taiwan
    Provincial Government Secretary-General; has served as Yunlin
    LY Member since 1995.

    DPP:  Su Chih-fen
    Daughter of prominent Taiwan politicians Su Tung-chi (father)
    and Su Hung Yueh-chiao (mother); served as campaign assistant
    to a number of DPP politicians including former DPP Chairman
    Shih Ming-te, former legislator Chou Ching-yu and acting
    Kaohsiung mayor Yeh Chu-lan; Member of the National Assembly
    (1996-1999); advisor to the Executive Yuan (1999-2000);
    served as LY Member, Yunlin County (2001-2004).

    Independent:  Lin Chia-yu

    Comment:  The DPP's Su is a major political rival of
    incumbent KMT Yunlin County Magistrate Chang Jung-wei, who is
    in custody on corruption charges.  The current acting DPP
    Magistrate, appointed in Chang,s place by Premier Hsieh,
    supports Su.  A recent China Times polls shows a very close
    race, with Su holding a narrow two-point lead over KMT's Hsu,
    and almost half of voters still undecided.  Independent
    candidate Lin is not a viable candidate.

    -----------
    Chiayi City
    -----------

    Candidates:

    KMT:  Huang Min-hui (LY Member, Chiayi)
    Former high school teacher; served in the National Assembly;
    first elected as LY member in 2001.

    DPP:  Chen Li-chen (Incumbent)
    Master in Environmental Medicine, China Medical College,
    Taiwan; BA in Public Hygiene Dept., China Medical College,
    Taiwan.

    Comment:  Incumbent DPP Mayor Chen Li-chen, who is very
    worried about her re-election prospects, is in a
    neck-and-neck race with KMT candidate Huang Min-hui, who has
    an excellent reputation and a high popularity rating.  A
    late-September China Times poll shows the candidates in a
    statistical dead heat, with 40 percent of voters still
    undecided.

    -------------
    Chiayi County
    -------------

    Candidates:

    KMT:  Chen Ming-cheng (KMT Chiayi County Chairman)
    Recently drafted by KMT to run.

    DPP:  Chen Ming-wen (Incumbent)
    Bachelor, Philosophy Department of Tung Hai University,
    Taiwan.

    Comment:  Incumbent Magistrate Chen Ming-wen is relatively
    popular in office, with a 65 percent approval rating in a
    September Commonwealth magazine survey.  The KMT announced a
    candidate at the last minute because they were having trouble
    finding anyone to run (see reftel).  The incumbent appears
    very likely to be reelected since KMT candidate Chen
    Min-chen, who is chairman of Chiayi County Chapter, is weak
    in terms of popularity and administrative resources.  An
    October 1 China Times poll shows DPP,s Chen has almost 48
    percent support, while the KMT,s Chen trails with only 8.5
    percent.

    -----------
    Tainan City
    -----------

    Candidates:

    KMT:  Chen Jung-sheng
    Bachelor in Public Administration, Tung Hai University,
    Taiwan; studied at Seattle City Community University; ran as
    a KMT candidate in the 2001 Mayoral election; former Tainan
    City Councilor (1987-1991); former Provincial Assembly member
    (1991-1995).

    DPP:  Hsu Tain-tsair (Incumbent)
    BA and MA in Economics, Chinese Culture University, Taipei;
    studied at Rutgers University, New Jersey, in a business
    administration doctoral program.

    TSU: Chien-Lin Hui-chun (TSU Tainan City Chairperson)

    SIPDIS
    Former Legislator (2002-2004).

    Comment:  Although the KMT candidate is not particularly
    strong, TSU candidate Chien-Lin joined the race, which could
    split the Pan-Green vote.  So far, incumbent Mayor Hsu is
    still leading in the polls, but running against two opponents
    has complicated the race.  KMT candidate Chen, who is weak
    both in terms of personal charm and administrative resources,
    is running for his third time for this mayoral position.  An
    Era TV poll in late September showed the DPP,s Hsu with 31
    percent support, followed by the KMT,s Chen at 17.5 percent,
    and the TSU,s Chien-Lin at 10.9 percent.

    -------------
    Tainan County
    -------------

    Candidates:

    KMT:  Kuo Tien-tsai
    Doctor in Education, National Cheng Chi University, Taipei;
    Master in Education, National Kaohsiung Normal University,
    Kaohsiung; post-doctorate research, Illinois University;
    former LY Member (2001-2004).

    DPP:  Su Huan-chih (Tainan County Magistrate)
    LL.B., National Taiwan University, Taipei; LL.M., Fujen
    Catholic University, Taipei.

    Independent:  Chang Po-sheng
    Served as campaign assistant to Magistrate Su and President
    Chen during their previous campaigns.  It was a surprise to
    the DPP that he registered as candidate.

    Independent:  Tsai Ssu-chieh
    Retired government employee.  This is his fourth time running
    in the magistrate election.  He favors using the flood as his
    main issue in campaign.

    Comment:  The DPP cannot afford to lose in President Chen,s
    home county as such a loss would reflect the inherent
    weakness and lack of popularity of the Chen administration.
    Although Magistrate Su is leading in the polls, his
    performance is not considered good.  The KMT,s candidate is
    young, highly educated, and "clean", so Kuo and Chairman Ma
    Ying-jeou may press very hard for a win in this election.
    Although there are two independent candidates, this is still
    considered a race between the DPP and KMT.

    ----------------
    Kaohsiung County
    ----------------

    Candidates:

    KMT:  Lin Yi-shih (LY Member, Kaohsiung)
    Son of Lin Hsien-pao; the leader of the "Red Faction" in
    Kaohsiung County; supported Wang Jin-pyng in the KMT Chairman
    election; first elected to LY, Kaohsiung County, in 1998.

    DPP:  Yang Chiu-hsing (Incumbent)
    Served as Provincial Assembly Member in 1994; served as LY
    Member, Kaohsiung County, in 1998.

    Comment:  Incumbent Magistrate Yang,s approval rating in the
    September Commonwealth survey was over 70 percent, and he was
    more than 15 points ahead of KMT candidate Lin in a
    late-September TVBS poll.  The KMT candidate, however, has
    seen his poll numbers rise from a early low of 9 percent to
    his current 29 percent support.  Kaohsiung County is
    generally considered to be a safe Green county, but the KMT
    is hoping the image of their young, well-educated, and
    spanking clean candidate will gel with the Ma Ying-jeou,s
    reform message, bringing out more undecided voters.

    ---------------
    Pingtung County
    ---------------

    Candidates:

    KMT:  Wang Chin-shih (Incumbent)
    Master in Public Affairs, National Sun-Yat-Sen University,
    Kaohsiung.

    DPP:  Tsao Chi-hung
    Bachelor in Education, Chinese Culture University, Taipei;
    former National Assembly Member (1992-1994); former
    Provincial Assembly Member (1994-1998); former LY Member
    (1999-2004).

    Independent:  Soong Li-hua (Pingtung County Councilor)
    Wife of independent, but pro-KMT, LY Member Tsai Hao; served
    on Pingtung County Council since 2002.

    Independent:  Lee Ching-wen
    He is an old face in Pingtung who has run in all legislative,
    magisterial and city council elections in the past ten years.

    Comment:  Since Soong,s husband is pro-KMT, her candidacy
    could split the Pan-Blue votes.  The DPP has welcomed Soong's
    run in the hope of boosting Tsao,s chance to win.  Local
    observers note that the recent investigation by authorities
    of independent candidate Soong for vote-buying might actually
    boost her popularity and prospects as the highly telegenic
    Soong may use it to gain support from sympathetic voters.
    The race between DPP candidate Tsao Chi-hung and KMT
    candidate Wang Chin-shi, before Soong joined the race, was
    already very close.  A late-September UDN poll shows a
    virtual tie between Wang and Tsao, with Soong trailing by
    about 5 points, but 49 percent of voters are undecided.

    -----------
    Ilan County
    -----------

    Candidates:

    KMT:  Lu Kuo-hua (Mayor, Ilan City)
    Ilan County native; Lu has worked in the Taiwan Provincial
    Government; served as a section chief in the Ilan County
    Government; and as Mayor of Ilan City.

    DPP:  Chen Ting-nan
    Served as Ilan County Magistrate (1981-1989); then as Ilan LY
    Member (1989-2000); Minister of Justice (2000-2005).

    Independent:  Hsieh Lee Ching-yi

    Comment:  As the former county Magistrate, the DPP's Chen
    appeared to enjoy the upper hand in the early weeks of the
    pre-campaign , but KMT's Lu has been catching up rapidly in
    public opinion polls in recent weeks, probably because of his
    youthful image and pledge to revitalize Ilan,s economy.  Lu
    may get a further boost from the PFP candidate's decision to
    drop out of the race at registration time.  This is Lu,s
    second run for Ilan Magistrate, having lost in the previous
    election by just 7,000 votes.  Chen and Lu are nearly tied
    according to various opinion polls, giving the KMT a chance
    of winning Ilan for the first time in 24 years.  Pan-Greens,
    however, enjoy a 55 percent majority of voters in Ilan
    County.

    --------------
    Hualien County
    --------------

    Candidates:

    KMT:  Hsieh Shen-shan (Incumbent)
    Former Chairman of the National Federation of Labor Union;
    legislator, KMT deputy Secretary-General and
    Secretary-General of the Executive Yuan.

    SIPDIS

    PFP:  Fu Kun-chi (LY Member, Hualien County)
    Served as Vice Chairman of the World Federation of Taiwanese
    Chamber of Commerce; has served as Hualien LY Member since
    ¶2001.

    DPP:  Lu Po-chi (LY Member, Hualien County)
    Hualien native; served as Member of the Hualien County
    Council; has served as Hualien LY Member since 2001.

    Independent: Ko Tzu-hai

    Comment:  Incumbent KMT Magistrate Hsieh enjoys strong local
    support with nearly 66 percent job approval rating in the
    September Commonwealth magazine poll.  DPP challenger Lu will
    probably campaign on his close relationship with the central
    government, but Hsieh,s lead may be insurmountable.
    Pan-Blue PFP candidate Fu, currently facing legal problems,
    is drawing little support.  A China Times poll in September
    shows Hsieh with 52 percent support, compared to Lu's 9.4
    percent and Fu's 6.4 percent.  Independent candidate Ko is
    not a viable candidate.

    --------------
    Taitung County
    --------------

    Candidates:

    KMT running as Independent:  Wu Chun-li (Speaker, Taitung
    County Council)
    Graduate of Ho-chun Technical Junior College, Kaohsiung
    County.

    DPP running as Independent:  Liu Chao-hao (Deputy Magistrate)
    His elder brother was a former National Assembly member and a
    KMT member; former Judge serving for 6 years.

    Independent:  Peng Chuan-kuo
    Has never run for political office before, the name is
    totally new, emerging only on registration day.

    Comment:  This race came as a surprise because both DPP and
    KMT have their members running as independent candidates.
    Incumbent Magistrate Hsu Ching-yuan (independent and former
    PFP member) gave up his bid for re-election, thus allowing
    his deputy, Liu Chao-hao, a DPP member, to register at the
    last minute as an independent candidate.  Wu Chun-li, who
    would have registered as a KMT candidate, instead registered
    as an independent candidate, allegedly at the insistence of
    Chairman Ma in order to avoid the issue of the lawsuit and
    sentencing lodged against Wu for corruption.

    Previous polls showed the current Magistrate Hsu,s approval
    rating at 32.8 percent, Wu,s at 19 percent, and 44 percent
    undecided.  Whether Hsu,s deputy, Liu will be able to
    inherit Hsu,s support in the polls is doubtful, not to
    mention that Liu has not even prepared his campaign.  But
    Liu, who is a new face in politics, will put KMT on the
    attack in the election.

    -------------
    Penghu County
    -------------

    Candidates:

    KMT:  Wang Chien-fa  (Makung City Mayor)
    Served in the County Government as Director of the Tax Bureau
    and Bureau of Finance; serving as Mayor of Makung City, which
    accounts for half of Penghu,s population.

    DPP:  Chen Kuang-fu (DPP Penghu County Office Chairman)
    Chen lost the last LY election to Lin Ping-kun, who has had
    strong support from local residents over the past decade;
    served as Kaohsiung City LY member (1992-1998); lost as the
    DPP candidate for Magistrate in 2001; stayed in Penghu to
    serve as DPP Office Chairman in order to cultivate
    connections for the upcoming elections.

    Independent:  Hsu Ching-ming
    Former DPP member who ran in the last LY election in 2004 and
    lost.

    Comment:  DPP candidate Chen Kuang-fu and KMT candidate Wang
    Chien-fa are in a very close race.  Local observers say Chen
    Kuang-fu has a good chance to win since he is competing
    against a different opponent from a previous legislative
    election.  Although KMT has dominated the county for long
    time, the DPP anticipates a real shot at a win in this race.

    -------------
    Kinmen County
    -------------

    New Party:  Lee Chu-feng (Incumbent)
    Kinmen County native; served as Secretary of Kinmen County
    Government; served as LY Member, Kinmen County.

    Independent:  Chen Ping

    Independent:  Chen Fu-hai

    Comment:  The KMT, PFP, and New Party have jointly agreed to
    support Lee, who will likely win a second term in this "deep
    Blue" county.  The two independent candidates pose little
    threat.

    -------------------------
    Lienchiang County (Matsu)
    -------------------------

    PFP:  Chen Hsueh-sheng (Incumbent)

    Independent:  Yang Sui-sheng

    Independent:  Wu Shih-Tsu

    Comment:  Both the KMT and PFP have agreed to support Chen's
    continued leadership of this Pan-Blue stronghold.  Chen is
    expected to win another term.
    PAAL

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