Mahoney pulls out of debate

Rep. Tim Mahoney (D-Fla.), whose adultery scandal has sunk his reelection chances, dropped out of a Friday debate with his GOP challenger because organizers are allowing television cameras to cover it. 

The debate was scheduled for noon Friday at the nonpartisan Forum Club of the Palm Beaches. 

{mosads}Executive Director Gayle Pallesen told The Associated Press that Mahoney’s campaign called late Thursday night and told her that the lawmaker would participate, but only if television cameras were banned.

Pallesen refused to agree to a ban. 

Mahoney’s challenger, Tom Rooney, still plans to participate and there will be an empty chair for Mahoney on stage. 

Mahoney’s campaign was fearful that the national media would descend on the debate and make it a public spectacle. 

Earlier this month, ABC News reported that Mahoney had paid a former staffer $121,000 to keep quiet about their affair and her subsequent firing. He has since admitted to other affairs, and the FBI and House ethics committee are investigating. His wife, Terry, filed for divorce Monday. 

Mahoney was elected in 2006 on a family-values campaign theme after Rep. Mark Foley (R-Fla.) resigned after a pre-election scandal involving revelations that he sent inappropriate electronic messages to male pages who had worked on Capitol Hill.

On Friday, new allegations surfaced regarding one of Mahoney’s affairs. ABC News reported that the lawmaker asked his former staffer to “tease” men at fundraisers and “engage in sexual conduct with another woman for his enjoyment.”