Legislator Chuang Jui-hsiung said he will take part in the already "crowded" party's primary for the Pingtung County magistrate election, becoming the third legislator inside the DPP who have expressed an interest in succeeding Pan Men-an, who will step down next year after two terms.
Chuang Jui-hsiung, Legislator (DPP): “The people of Pingtung need to have self-confidence, and loudly shout that Pingtung can become better, that Pingtung can surpass Kaohsiung!”
Pingtung County Magistrate Pan Men-an will finish serving his second term in 2022, and the competition in the Democratic Progressive Party to succeed him is fierce. Legislator Chuang Jui-hsiung announced on Dec. 22 that he will be running in the party's primary to select its magisterial candidate. It appears his platform is based on helping Pingtung to surpass Kaohsiung, and turning the "tail" of Taiwan into its "head." Pan previously said his preferred successor is Legislator Chou Chun-mi, so Chuang publicly sent a message to Pan.
Chuang Jui-hsiung, Legislator (DPP): “It has never been the tradition of Pingtung to appoint a successor. It's not the Democratic Progressive Party's culture either.”
Chuang announced his candidacy at a press conference, and Chiayi County Magistrate Weng Chang-liang showed up to support him, while Hsinchu City Mayor Lin Chih-chien and Keelung City Mayor Lin Yu-chang backed Chuang through prerecorded videos. Nearly 10 legislators from both Tsai Ing-wen and Su Tseng-chang's factions were also present. Chou intends to participate in the primary, as does fellow Legislator Chung Chia-pin. They wished Chuang well and said they would work hard.
Chou Chun-mi, Legislator (DPP): “Everyone is working hard to win the primary, and afterwards we'll show a united front to the outside.”
Chung Chia-pin, Legislator (DPP): “Legislator Chuang Jui-hsiung and I are currently fighting for the Democratic Progressive Party's nomination. However, during the election, we will work together.”
Independent Legislator Su Chen-ching, a former member of the DPP, has made no secret that he is interested in running and has been holding symposiums in Pingtung. He said he will wait until the DPP decides on its candidate before making a formal announcement.
民進黨立委莊瑞雄說:「我們屏東人要有自信，大膽地喊出屏東超越屏東，屏東超越高雄。」
屏東縣長潘孟安兩任任期將屆滿，屏東縣長之爭，綠營內部競爭激烈，立委莊瑞雄22日開出第一槍，宣布參加民進黨初選，競選主軸喊出屏東超越高雄，要將台灣尾拚成台灣頭，由於潘孟安曾表態支持由立委周春米來接班，莊瑞雄也特地向潘孟安公開喊話。
民進黨立委莊瑞雄提到:「指定這個從來就不是屏東的傳統，也不是民進黨的文化。」
莊瑞雄記者會，嘉義縣長翁章梁親自力挺，林智堅、林右昌則錄影片，加上英系、蘇系立委們將近十位出動支持，也提前讓選戰白熱化。另外黨內有意角逐的周春米及鍾佳濱，則表示祝福將各自努力。
民進黨立委周春米表示:「那現在黨內的初選，大家就各自努力，結束後就團結一致對外。」
民進黨立委鍾佳濱說:「莊瑞雄委員跟我目前在民進黨內競爭初選提名，但是未來在大選的時候，我們也會共同合作。」
另外已退出民進黨的無黨籍立委蘇震清早已表達不會缺席，近來積極在屏東舉辦座談會，他表示會等民進黨內初選結果再宣布參選，也位屏東選情投下變數。
