Two years ago, Liao Guofu (left) congratulated Tsang Fai Tei after the by-election.

(Photo by reporter Chen Yanting)

[Reporter Chen Yanting/Pingtung Report] Kanding Township, Pingtung County has a "grandfather and grandson" election campaign this year. Zeng Huidi, the 72-year-old oldest township head in Pingtung, sought re-election, but was defeated by a 33-year-old competitor. Liao Guofu was defeated and became the youngest elected mayor in the county. This is not the first time that the age gap between the whole screen east and even the largest election in the country has happened. This is the second time that the two have fought in the election. The outside world hailed the successful completion of the election of local chiefs for the alternation of generations.

The election in Pingtung County this year is cold and confusing, and Kanding Township, which has an incinerator reward fund, has long been a foggy election. Township generations Guo Jianqing, Chen Qinghua, Zeng Huidi and Liao Guofu.

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Two years ago, when former township head Lin Guanghua was dismissed due to his involvement in the case, Liao Kwok-fu returned to his hometown to run for election with his high academic qualifications in agriculture from National Taiwan University. He won over 1,400 votes. Although he was the third in the ranking, he had already shown his prospects. After his defeat, he showed his demeanor and walked to Tsang Fai Tei's headquarters to congratulate him on his election.

Liao Guofu did not drift north after the by-election, and continued to stay in his hometown and ask for votes. Contrary to other candidates' political opinions, he has always only compared the incinerator to give back money. The political opinions implemented in the form of working groups also have to hold regular monthly "Villagers' Meetings" to listen to public opinions, which has suddenly emerged and won the support of voters.

Liao Guofu said that the development of Kanding has been stagnant for many years. He believes that if even the young people of his generation are unwilling to come forward to improve this phenomenon, what should the next generation do?

After the by-election, he has a better understanding of what the folks want. He hopes to bring back the agricultural major he learned from National Taiwan University to contribute to his hometown, improve the overall agricultural environment in Kanding, establish a youth affairs committee, and take root in education from a young age. Primary schools in various countries conduct bilingual courses and set up after-school tutoring classes.

His opponents, apart from Zeng Huidi, who is fighting for re-election, Guo Jianqing belongs to the peasant association system, and Zhou Biyun, a councilor, turned to support Chen Qinghua. However, judging from the results, the traditional mode of local factional political wrestling is obviously no longer favored by the villagers. Liao Guofu, who sought support from the village, won the support of many intermediate voters and silent voters, and his votes increased significantly to break through 2,700 votes, leading Zeng Huidi by more than 800 votes. The heart drives Kanding to change and becomes the village head trusted by the villagers.

Liao Guofu ran for the election again and successfully reversed.

(Provided by Liao Guofu)

After the last by-election, Liao Guofu was not discouraged and continued to seek support in local areas.

(Provided by Liao Guofu)