Are Repubs purposefully not fielding candidates in cities to reduce Dem turnout? [View all]

[JPZenger]

Here's a new angle I haven't seen before. There are accusations that the Republican party is purposefully not fielding candidates for mayor and council, etc in many Democratically-controlled cities in PA in order to lower voter interest. The goal is to convince urban voters that there is no reason to show up at the polls, because there are only a couple contested races for their votes.

As a result, the Repubs then have a better chance to win state legislature and county elections, particularly in an off-year.

(The more conventional view is that they can't attract candidates in heavily Democratic cities if the Repub candidate has little chance of winning. However, recent history shows Repub candidates can win in city elections when voters are unhappy with their current government).