Hsu Hsin-ying Breaks Down in Tears as She Secures Upset Victory in KMT's Hsinchu County Primary, Former Soong Chu-yu Running Mate Sets Sights on Magistrate Seat

Kuomintang supporters in Hsinchu County have been on a roller-coaster ride the past few days. The party’s primary for the Hsinchu County magistrate race finally concluded on the 28th, with Legislator Hsu Hsin-ying and Deputy Magistrate Chen Chien-hsien locked in a fierce battle over three days of polling and a final party member vote. In the end, Hsu Hsin-ying pulled off a stunning victory, edging out Chen by a razor-thin margin of 50.634% to 49.366%—a difference of just 1.268 percentage points. She will now represent the KMT in the year-end Hsinchu County magistrate election.

A 70-30 Split Upset: Overcoming a Deficit in Party Member Votes with a Polling Comeback

The primary used a “70-30” formula, weighting opinion polls at 70% and party member votes at 30%, and the process was intensely competitive. In the party member vote held on the 28th, Chen Chien-hsien demonstrated his strong grassroots organization, securing 2,870 votes for a 56.775% share, outpacing Hsu’s 2,185 votes and 43.225% by a margin of 685 votes. Just as observers were ready to call the race for Chen, the crucial poll results were released, and the situation flipped instantly. Across the three polling firms’ results, Hsu held a decisive lead, ultimately clinching the comeback victory with a weighted total of 50.634% support.

Upon hearing the outcome, Hsu’s eyes welled up on stage, and she was soon reaching for a tissue to wipe away tears. Her voice breaking with emotion, she said her campaign had been defined by just one sentiment: “humility and gratitude.” She thanked the residents who had supported her in the telephone polls, thanked the party members who had turned out to vote, and extended her respects to her opponent, Chen Chien-hsien, emphasizing that the primary was over and that everyone’s goal was the future of Hsinchu County.

"Winning the Primary Isn't the Real Victory": Hsu Hsin-ying Sets Her Sights on the General Election

After regaining her composure, Hsu Hsin-ying displayed the resilience she has cultivated over years in politics. She urged her supporters to celebrate the victory for just one night, adding that the real campaign trail begins tomorrow, as the true test is only just starting. She framed the upcoming election as the “final boss battle,” pointing to her opponent as a candidate from the Democratic Progressive Party who would wield the full force of state resources—including party machinery, government apparatus, online trolls, judicial tools, and media. Her remarks not only reflected her serious assessment of the race but also quickly redirected the sentiment of KMT supporters from the internal friction of the primary toward a united front against the opposition.

To residents of Hsinchu, Hsu Hsin-ying is no stranger. A civil engineering PhD from National Chiao Tung University and Taiwan’s first female satellite surveying expert, her political journey has been quite dramatic. She was elected legislator with the highest vote count in the country in 2012, left the KMT to form the Minkuo Party in 2015, and in 2016 ran as vice-presidential candidate alongside Soong Chu-yu. Though that bid was unsuccessful, it boosted her national profile. She returned to the KMT in 2022 through the "Operation Reunite" initiative and was re-elected to the Legislative Yuan in 2024. Now, she is drawing on her extensive campaign experience for another run at the Hsinchu County magistrate’s office.

Primary Battle Ends, Integration Becomes the Next Key Step for the KMT

The primary was not without its controversies. Allegations flew from both sides, from Hsu’s camp demanding a review of Chen’s past reform school record, to Chen’s camp accusing Hsu of prematurely releasing poll data in violation of election laws and questioning her party affiliation status. With the primary results now final and Hsu Hsin-ying officially named as the candidate, the focus now shifts to whether the KMT can successfully unite its factions.

Chen Chien-hsien demonstrated grace after the results were announced. Despite his decisive win in the party member vote, his only public comment was, “Go KMT, go Hsinchu County,” bringing a temporary close to this intense internal party contest. As the general election approaches, the KMT’s ability to retain this traditional stronghold—a district with more KMT than DPP supporters—will hinge on Hsu Hsin-ying’s ability to consolidate local forces and transform the energy spent on the primary into a potent force for the broader campaign.

• Primary Result: Hsu Hsin-ying narrowly defeated Chen Chien-hsien with 50.634% to 49.366%.
• Turning Point: Despite trailing in the party member vote, she staged a comeback in the polling segment, which accounted for 70% of the total.
• Hsu Hsin-ying's Reaction: Overcome with emotion, she spoke of "humility and gratitude" and called for party unity.
• Chen Chien-hsien's Response: Showed statesmanship, offering a succinct "Go KMT."

Hsu Hsin-ying will represent the KMT in the year-end Hsinchu County magistrate election. Whether she can recapture the momentum that once made her the top vote-getter nationwide and once again win over voters after multiple party shifts will be a key storyline in this high-stakes race for Hsinchu County.