By Chris Wang / Staff reporter in GREATER TAICHUNG
Former Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) vice presidential candidate Su Jia-chyuan (蘇嘉全) yesterday was reserved about his possible running in the Greater Taichung mayoral election next year, but said that he would “fight with determination” if nominated.
Su, former DPP chairperson Tsai Ing-wen’s (蔡英文) running mate in last year’s presidential election, joined DPP lawmakers Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) and Tsai Chi-chang (蔡其昌) on the party’s list of possible candidates.
“I will respect the final result of the DPP central headquarters’ selection of aspirants. If I am selected for the election, I will fight with determination; if another candidate is chosen, I will lend my full support,” Su said in response to a media inquiry on the sidelines of the party’s anniversary celebration ceremony in Greater Taichung.
The 56-year-old former Council of Agriculture minister waged a close battle in the municipality’s mayoral election in 2011, losing by only about 30,000 votes to incumbent Mayor Jason Hu (胡志強), who can run for re-election next year.
The DPP central headquarters has not yet spoken with all aspiring candidates for the party primary, but he would make his decision known at an appropriate time, he said.
Lin, who dropped out of the party primary in 2011 to support Su, has been the most active candidate so far, while Tsai has hinted that he could drop out of the race if Su announced his bid.
Other than Greater Taichung, the DPP’s primaries for municipal elections in Taipei and New Taipei City (新北市) suddenly heated up after former premier Yu Shyi-kun (游錫?) announced his bid for New Taipei City on Friday.
DPP’s New Taipei City Chapter director Lo Chih-cheng (羅致政) and former lawmaker Chuan Shuo-han (莊碩漢) are reportedly also eyeing the nomination.
Former vice president Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) is reportedly also considering entering the race in Taipei City, where Wellington Koo (顧立雄), formerly a lawyer for former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), and National Taiwan University physician Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) have expressed interest in running.
Lu did not confirm her reported interest yesterday, saying that she would gather supporters’ opinions tomorrow at a rally and weigh her options.
DPP Chairman Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) said yesterday that he welcomed the competition between DPP members for party nominations, which “showed their passion for serving the people.”
As party chairman, Su Tseng-chang said he would make sure a fair and transparent mechanism is in place for party primaries.