<p>This paper investigates how the institutional timing of elections shapes local candidate entry and political competition. Exploiting quasi-random variation in Italy’s staggered national-local concurrent elections, this paper employs a difference-in-differences design. Estimates reveal that concurrency reduces the number of mayoral candidates and discourages participation by independent lists, increasing the relative presence of nationally established parties. These changes in candidate composition are associated with higher vote shares and higher probabilities of victory for nationally affiliated candidates, alongside a reduction in overall political competition. Concurrent elections also affect who holds office: mayors elected in such contests are more likely to have lower education and less prior experience. At the same time, while these mayors do not alter overall spending or revenue trajectories, they secure greater intergovernmental transfers, collect taxes more efficiently and increase spending in specific categories.</p>