Expelled from party, Huang Guochang still targets Zhubei mayor; reacts to Li Zhenxiu.

The Taiwan People's Party (TPP) has recently drawn external attention once again due to the movements of its members and its public office nomination strategies. In response to the recent public announcement by former TPP Legislator Li Zhenxiu—who has already been expelled from the party—stating her intention to run in the mayoral election for Zhubei City, Hsinchu County, current TPP Chairman Huang Kuo-chang addressed the matter today. Huang emphasized that as long as relevant electoral activities comply with the current laws of the Republic of China, participating in elections is inherently a fundamental right possessed by every ROC citizen. This statement has once again thrust Li's political trajectory and her delicate relationship with the party center into the political spotlight.

Li's legislative questioning style and internal party positioning in the past have frequently sparked public debate. Her decision to declare her candidacy for Zhubei City mayor as a person expelled from the party carries particular political tension. Zhubei City has traditionally been a core stronghold of Taiwan's western technology corridor. Not only does it boast continuous population growth and a high proportion of young demographics, but it also possesses robust economic strength and a relatively independent voter structure, making it a fiercely contested battleground where the pan-Blue, pan-Green, and TPP camps actively deploy their strategies. Li's choice to test the waters in this benchmark constituency not only tests her personal political energy, but also impacts the shifting landscape of local politics.

Regarding Li's intention to run, Huang adopted an attitude consistent with the principles of democracy and the rule of law when responding in a public interview. He pointed out that running for office is a fundamental right of citizens, and as long as it conforms to legal regulations, anyone enjoys the freedom to compete for positions as a people's representative or administrative head. On one hand, Huang's remarks drew a clear line between party nominations and individual civic rights; on the other hand, they avoided plunging prematurely into the turbulence of internal party nomination mechanisms. Nevertheless, behind this statement lies a tacit understanding and political consideration in how the TPP handles elections involving non-party members or those expelled from the party.

From the perspective of party development, since its establishment, the TPP has actively rooted itself at the local level, enjoying a certain support base particularly in the Hsinchu-Miaoli region. However, with personnel changes and adjustments to disciplinary standards within the party, the movements of some members who left for various reasons or were expelled still overlap heavily with the TPP's support base. Li's declared mayoral bid in Zhubei City will inevitably absorb a portion of TPP supporters' votes, adding a considerable degree of variables and challenges regarding whether the TPP will nominate another candidate in the constituency or what kind of competitive and cooperative strategy it will adopt in the future.

Overall, Li's bid to enter the Zhubei City mayoral race is not only another major choice in her personal political career, but also highlights the survival and breakthrough strategies of third-force and independent candidates within the structure of large electoral districts in Taiwan's local autonomy elections. As the election schedule gradually advances, the movements of various political figures will become clearer. Although Huang's response framed the issue at the level of civic rights, the future development of the Zhubei City race, the degree of voter acceptance, and Li's subsequent campaign organizational layout will all serve as important indicators for observing changes in Taiwan's local political ecosystem.