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Fact check: Are there more murders or are democrat or republicans by cities

Checked on September 16, 2025

1. Summary of the results

The analyses provided suggest that there is no clear correlation between the number of murders in a city and the political affiliation of its leaders, whether Democrat or Republican [1] [2]. In fact, research from various universities, including Harvard, University of Washington Tacoma, University of Pittsburgh, and George Washington University, found that a mayor's party affiliation has little impact on crime rates and policing [1]. Additionally, data from the FBI shows that many cities with high murder rates are located in Republican-run states [3]. Some sources report a decrease in violent crime, including homicide, but do not provide information on the number of Democrats or Republicans in cities [4] [5] [6]. Overall, the evidence suggests that crime rates are not directly related to the political affiliation of a city's leaders.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

A key piece of missing context is the fact that crime rates can be influenced by a variety of factors, including socioeconomic conditions, policing strategies, and community engagement [1]. Alternative viewpoints suggest that the political affiliation of mayors may not be a significant factor in determining crime rates, and that other factors, such as poverty and lack of access to education and job opportunities, may play a more important role [2]. Furthermore, some sources note that crime remains a significant concern, but that the narrative around Democrat-led cities being more dangerous is not supported by the data [3]. It is also important to consider the potential impact of systemic issues, such as racism and inequality, on crime rates [3]. Additionally, the sources do not provide information on the number of Democrats or Republicans in cities, which could be an important factor in understanding the relationship between political affiliation and crime rates [4] [5] [6].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement appears to be based on a misconception that Democrat-led cities are more prone to crime, which is not supported by the evidence [3] [1]. This narrative may be driven by political bias or a lack of understanding of the complex factors that contribute to crime rates [2]. The sources suggest that this framing is misleading and that crime rates are not directly related to the political affiliation of a city's leaders [1]. The potential beneficiaries of this misinformation are those who seek to politicize crime and use it as a wedge issue, rather than addressing the underlying causes of crime and working towards evidence-based solutions [3]. It is essential to approach this topic with a nuanced understanding of the complex factors that contribute to crime rates and to avoid perpetuating misinformation or bias [3] [1] [2].

Want to dive deeper?
What is the correlation between city murder rates and Democratic or Republican mayors?
How do urban crime rates compare between cities with majority Democrat or Republican voters?
Do cities with stricter gun laws have lower murder rates regardless of political affiliation?
What are the socioeconomic factors that contribute to higher murder rates in certain cities?
Can city crime rates be used as an indicator of political party effectiveness in governance?