Rep. Mahoney skips debate

Democratic U.S. Rep. Tim Mahoney, embroiled in an adultery scandal, skipped a debate because organizers wouldn’t ban television cameras, leaving his opponent to debate an empty chair.

Mahoney’s campaign also signaled that he may give up public appearances entirely as he struggles to overcome reports of two affairs.

Republican challenger Tom Rooney took questions during the luncheon in West Palm Beach.

Voters chose Mahoney in 2006 when he ran on a family values platform to replace Mark Foley, a Republican who resigned amid revelations that he sent lurid messages to teenage male pages who had worked on Capitol Hill.