Lin Chih-chien Withdrawn from Mayoral Race 論文風暴愈演愈烈 林智堅退選桃園市長

DPP Taoyuan City mayoral election candidate Lin Chih-chien announced he would withdraw from the race after having been engulfed in a thesis plagiarism controversy for over a month. 

Lin Chih-chien, Former Hsinchu Mayor: “I withdrew from the Taoyuan mayoral election and chose another battlefield to defend my innocence. I sincerely hope that the election can go back on the right track.”

At the press conference, Lin apologized for causing public chaos while asserting that he would continue to defend his innocence and integrity. Meanwhile, Lin thanked president Tsai, DPP's campaign committee, and current Taoyuan mayor Cheng Wen-tsan for being understanding of his decision. He also thanked his supporters and apologized for the disappointment his decision might have created. It was also announced that lawmaker Cheng Yun-peng will replace Lin as DPP's Taoyuan mayoral candidate.

前新竹市長林智堅表示：「我選擇離開桃園市長選舉的戰場，即將在另一個戰場，捍衛自己的清白，我由衷地期待選舉可以回歸正軌。」

民進黨今天臨時召開選對會，林智堅表示，他選擇離開桃園市長選戰，要在另一個戰場捍衛自己的清白，也感謝總統蔡英文、桃園市長鄭文燦理解並支持他的決定，而被民進黨徵召參選桃園市長的鄭運鵬旋即表達願意承擔，參選接下來的桃園市長選舉。