Independent wins Kinmen magistrate race

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Taipei, Nov. 29 (CNA) Former Legislator Chen Fu-hai declared victory in this year's most crowded race for county chief, topping nine other candidates vying for the top job in the outlying county of Kinmen.

The 51-year-old independent defeated incumbent Li Wo-shi of the ruling Kuomintang, seven other independents, and a candidate from a minor party in the race.

Chen served as a lawmaker for one term between 2008 and 2012, and was a county councilor in Kinmen before that.

The opposition Democratic Progressive Party did not field a candidate in the county that has 103,555 eligible voters in this year's election.

Kinmen was the frontline of defense against communist forces during the height of tensions between Taiwan and China. It lies just kilometers from the Chinese coastal city of Xiamen.