Tseng Hopes Yilan Voters Elect Golden Partner for County Leadership

KMT Chairperson Cheng Li-wun, speaking to reporters in Taipei today, once again focused her attention on local politics in Yilan County. Describing Yilan as a "democratic holy land"—a term originating from slogans used by the DPP during its push for democratization in the 1990s to signify the county's special place in Taiwan's democratic history—Cheng pointed out that the mayoral candidate currently fielded by the DPP "has no experience whatsoever," implying that her opponent lacks a background in local governance, a weakness often penalized in past local elections. She emphasized that what Yilan truly needs is "a county commissioner who prioritizes the needs of the residents," thereby urging voters to focus on candidates with practical experience.

Against this backdrop, Cheng specifically highlighted Yilan's "golden duo": incumbent County Commissioner Wu Tsung-hsien and County Council Speaker Chang Sheng-te. Wu has served as county commissioner since 2014, spearheading various infrastructure projects during his tenure, including the Yilan Railway elevation project and the planning of the coastal tourism belt, which has built him considerable local visibility. Chang has held key positions within the council for years, familiarizing himself with legislative operations and budget review procedures. Their collaboration has earned them the moniker of a "golden duo," signifying a complementary relationship between the executive and legislative branches. Cheng stated that if both are re-elected by wide margins, it will help sustain existing governance paths and prevent policy gaps caused by personnel changes.

The DPP, meanwhile, champions new blood and reform, arguing that while the incumbent's achievements have contributed to the county, fresh perspectives and innovative thinking remain necessary. Nevertheless, Cheng noted that in past Yilan county commissioner elections, most DPP candidates ran with backgrounds marked by youth and a lack of comprehensive administrative experience, leaving voters with the impression of being "devoid of practical skills." Using this as an example, she reminded local residents to carefully evaluate candidates' resumes and governing abilities when casting their ballots, rather than deciding based solely on party affiliation or slogans.

On a national level, the Yilan County election is viewed as a bellwether for local elections. If the KMT retains the two key positions of county commissioner and council speaker in Yilan, it will help boost the party's support in the northeastern region and hold symbolic significance for future deployments in the Legislative Yuan and presidential elections. Conversely, if the DPP successfully recaptures the county commissioner's seat, it would demonstrate the party's penetration capability in traditional blue strongholds, producing a positive effect on the party's overall strategy. Cheng's appeal is, in effect, part of the KMT's strategy to secure a "local foothold" in the nationwide campaign.

Finally, Cheng concluded by urging local residents to "support good talent," calling on voters to make "the needs of county residents" their starting point and to elect a leader capable of continuously driving Yilan's development. Her remarks not only served as a personal endorsement of Wu Tsung-hsien and Chang Sheng-te, but also reflected the political signal emphasized by the KMT in local elections: "experience" and "performance." Over the coming weeks, campaign activities among various political parties in Yilan will further heat up, and voters' ultimate choices will directly impact the county's policy trajectory and direction of development over the next four years.