Chiang Chi-chen, the Kuomintang (KMT) candidate for mayor of Taichung, registered his candidacy on September 3, accompanied by Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen. His Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) rival, Ho Hsin-chun, canvassed at Jianguo Market in the city's East District that morning and pledged to make it a market international tourists would love, the Central News Agency (CNA) reported.
How did Chiang register? He ran on foot from Taichung City Hall to the Taichung Election Commission's registration office at the Fengle Park activity centre in Nantun District. Lu, KMT legislators Yang Chiung-ying, Liao Wei-hsiang, Huang Chien-hao, Yen Kuan-heng and Huang Jen, and KMT city councillors stood with him as he filed, while the group chanted "Take the baton successfully, protect Taichung" and "Get elected!"
What did Chiang pledge? Marking Armed Forces Day, Chiang said he paid his highest respect and thanks to the country's hardworking servicemen. He said he had once served as a Sea Dragon frogman, and that after November 28 he would be a frogman for the people of Taichung, guarding the city and protecting its residents. Continuing and upgrading Lu's eight years of governance was his responsibility and mission, he said, and he had a complete blueprint and plan. He asked voters to also back the KMT's city council and borough chief candidates.
Who ran the city during the registration? Lin Ku-lung, the city government's deputy secretary-general, said at the Fengyuan Martyrs' Shrine that Lu had taken leave in accordance with the law on both September 2 and September 3 to accompany candidates at registration. During that leave, he said, Deputy Mayor Huang Kuo-jung acted in her place.
What did Ho say? Ho visited the market with DPP city councillors and candidates, and many vendors and shoppers cheered her on, CNA reported. She said she would spend her first week after registering listening to residents in their daily lives, and that as a "mayor for all" she would solve their problems and push forward city construction. If elected, she said, she would link Jianguo Market with tourist sites around the East District so that it would be more than a wholesale and retail market or a citizens' kitchen, and could become known nationwide and popular with international visitors. Asked about Chiang's remark that Taichung should move from a "mom mayor" to a "dad mayor," Ho said residents need a mayor for all who works, solves problems and has vision for city governance, and that they care most about whether things get done.
