PA: Fearing Political Competition, Republican Boycotts Debate Because it Would Include Third Party Candidate

From the Philadelphia Inquirer:

Republican congressional candidate Patrick Meehan on Monday night pulled out of the final scheduled debate of the campaign, citing the presence of a third-party candidate who was invited to participate. 

Meehan faces Democrat Bryan Lentz and third-party candidate Jim Schneller in the race to replace U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak in Pennsylvania's Seventh District. Meehan and Lentz have met in four debates since August.

Schneller, who is running as the American Congress Party candidate, was not invited to the previous debates. The final debate, to be held by the League of Women Voters, is scheduled for Oct. 14.