Joanna Lei

Lei's father is Lei Hsueh-ming, a Republic of China Navy vice admiral who played a prominent role in the La Fayette-class frigate scandal.[1][2] Joanna Lei studied at National Taiwan University before earning a master's degree and doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania in the United States.[3]

Lei, a member of the New Party, was co-nominated by the Kuomintang in the 2004 legislative elections, and won.[4][5] As a legislator, Lei took an interest in domestic labor and migrant workers.[6][7] She lost an October 2007 Kuomintang primary, and formally left the party in November.[8] Lei was named a New Party candidate, and lost reelection.[9][10]

After stepping down from the Legislative Yuan, Lei became the chair of Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor.[11][12] She launched an unsuccessful independent bid for the legislature in 2012.[13][14] In 2015, Lei co-founded the Faith And Hope League,[15] and declared opposition to same-sex marriage in Taiwan.[16] Lei has organized petitions to consider the issue of "family protection" via referendum, while opposing the use of referendums to determine support for same-sex marriage.[17][18] She stated in 2017 that same-sex marriage would "destroy marriage as we know it. Some places are waiting for Taiwan to set the example. If Taiwan falls, then the rest of Asia will fall."[19] In December 2017, Lei succeeded Cecilia Koo as chair of the National Women's League.[20]