Democratic Progressive Party New Taipei City mayoral candidate Su Tseng-chang held an evening rally on Nov. 21. Cheng Chu-mei, the daughter of democracy activist Cheng Nan-jung, attended the rally to support Su and uttered a statement that had Su and opponent Hou You-yi trading words the next day.


Democratic Progressive Party New Taipei City mayoral candidate Su Tseng-chang canvassed for votes in the city's Xinzhuang District on the morning of Nov. 22. The previous evening, Su attended a rally, and Cheng Chu-mei, the daughter of democracy activist Cheng Nan-jung, showed up to support him. She uttered the statement, "I cannot stand by and listen to people shout for Hou You-yi to be elected," in reference to the Kuomintang's New Taipei City mayoral candidate. Hou was the commanding police officer who oversaw Cheng Nan-jung's arrest in 1989 for insurrection. When the police tried to arrest Cheng, he committed suicide by self-immolation. Su said Hou should address Cheng and his widow Yeh Chu-lan and criticized him for his failure to reflect on his conduct.

Today, Hou You-yi is still saying he was rescuing someone, and said he would not change anything if he could. This is something she (Cheng Chu-mei) really questions.

I respect all the opinions of family members.

Hou spent the morning campaigning in Luzhou Market, hoping to appeal to independent voters in an area that normally votes green. Hou's wife was recently the target of a smear campaign. He said he was saddened by this, and his wife had previously reminded him that "they used to be your officers" and "you must remember to forgive during the election."

(My wife told me) to remember that I used to work with my opponents despite their smear tactics, underhanded tricks and ruthless blows, and that we need to view the opposition with understanding and forgiveness.

I need New Taipei City residents to give me a fair chance, and I ask city residents to use the ballot box to decide who can really accomplish things during the next four years.

New Taipei City has 3.26 million registered voters. The DPP estimates a victory for Su is possible with a voter turnout of 65 percent, which translates 1.05 million votes. The KMT is hoping for a voter turnout of 70 percent and has its target set at 1.5 million votes. Both parties urge voters to turn out on Election Day.