The political landscape in Yilan County’s Dongshan Township is facing unexpected volatility as a veteran politician has announced an independent bid for mayor. This move threatens to split the support base of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which has traditionally maintained a strong hold on the township.
A Narrow Defeat and a Bold Departure
The friction began following the primary polls held in late 2025. Chen Keng-fang, the Deputy Speaker of the Dongshan Township Representative Council, secured the nomination with 35.73% of the vote.
Xie Canhui, a current councilor and former mayor, followed closely with 33.47%. Despite the narrow margin and attempts by party leadership to persuade him to remain a councilor, Xie has formally announced through an open letter that he will pursue the mayoralty as an independent candidate.
The “Water Guide” Vision
Xie, who has served two terms as mayor and two terms as a councilor since 2009, brings 16 years of local service to his campaign. He has positioned himself as a “water guide” for Dongshan, asserting that his administrative experience is essential for the township’s continued prosperity.
In his public declaration, Xie stated that “councilor is absolutely not a future option.” He emphasized a commitment to serving as a “mayor for all people,” regardless of party affiliation, while acknowledging that the path of an independent candidate is fraught with difficulty.
Party Efforts Toward Unity
The DPP’s Yilan County Party Branch is currently attempting to mitigate the split. Party Chairman Chiu Chia-chin has stated that the branch will continue communicating and coordinating with Xie.
Chiu has urged Xie to prioritize the “massive picture” and maintain party unity. The party’s goal is to integrate Xie into the team of county magistrate candidate Lin Kuo-chang to ensure a coordinated victory across both the township and county levels.
Potential Electoral Implications
The emergence of an independent candidate in a traditionally safe seat could introduce significant variables into the year-end “nine-in-one” elections. This split may force the DPP to recalibrate its strategy in Dongshan to prevent a fragmented vote from impacting the broader regional outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the DPP primary for Dongshan Township Mayor?
Chen Keng-fang, the Deputy Speaker of the Township Representative Council, won the primary with 35.73% of the vote.
Why is Xie Canhui running as an independent?
After losing the primary by a narrow margin, Xie declared that serving as a councilor is not a viable future option for him and expressed a determination to lead the township as mayor based on his previous administrative experience.
What is the DPP’s response to Xie’s decision?
Party Chairman Chiu Chia-chin has expressed a desire for party unity, urging Xie to put the collective interest first and join the campaign team of county magistrate candidate Lin Kuo-chang.
Do you believe independent candidates can effectively challenge established party strongholds in local elections?
Keep reading