PALMDALE – Mayoral candidate Maggie Campbell says Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford has ignored her challenges for a public debate because he is afraid to face her.
In a press release this week, Campbell said she challenged Ledford and opponent, Desmond Kester, to a political debate in writing last week in response to several requests she received from residents.
She said Kester verbally accepted the challenge but Ledford did not reply to the written challenge or to the follow up call.
At the Park Watch press conference Tuesday, Ledford said Campbell’s challenge was “more about publicity than reality” and said he hadn’t responded because he wasn’t taking the challenge seriously.
“It’s kind of hard to take her seriously,” Ledford said. “She has no location and there’s not much information.”
Ledford said he was put off by Campbell’s challenge partly because it included a request to play music.
“That seemed to be the only thing I saw on the request,” Ledford said. “It says we need to create a new forum so we can play music as part of our introduction. I can’t take that seriously.”
Wednesday, Campbell said Ledford was making excuses because he was afraid to face her in a debate.
“Jim Ledford is not taking the debate seriously because he is afraid,” Campbell said. “People in Palmdale are talking and they realize that he is afraid to face me on neutral ground where he will not have a built in crowd such as the Palmdale Chamber.”
In reference to playing music at the debate, Campbell said, “Some candidates love their favorite motivational song to be played while they approach the podium and others do not. We do this every year using music in the California Democratic Party at the State Convention. It motivates the crowd and gets them excited.”
Further, Campbell said her written request challenging Ledford to a debate stated that the music component was optional.
“This is just a silly excuse from Ledford,” Campbell said. “If he does not want music, he can consider that aspect deleted.”
Asked whether he would accept Campbell’s challenge to a debate if a firm location and date was established, Ledford said, “Accept what? I’m not sure she has anything serious here. There’s no location, there’s no date… I guess I better go pick my music out…”
Campbell said she will continue to call on the mayor to debate the issues with her in a public forum.
“Let me be clear, I am willing to debate Mr. Ledford wherever and whenever he is willing to face the people of Palmdale,” Campbell said.
The third candidate in the Palmdale mayoral race, Desmond Kester, could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
Abdul Majeed Askia/Public Speaker says
Not taking anything from other candidates for mayor but here is a clue why
he has been successful in politics. He makes himself available to the entire community crossing racial and cultural lines.When he speaks he speaks as though he is speaking for and to the entire community. His language is inclusive and he always strive to take the high road.At times
when he found himself at odds with someone or some issue he expressed himself in a way that his words would not come back to haunt him. When he speaks he speaks with confidence and authority. This is my observation after many years as a resident in Palmdale. I am a registered Independent
who strives to rise above labels,titles,class and shallow definitions which
positions me to hear what you have to say and observe what you do to better the community. Overal folks Jim Ledford has done good. Thats not taking any thing from the other condidates or hampering your efforts. Just a thought. Public Speaker/Abdul Majeed Askia
Sue Lawrence says
Oh, how I miss the laughs her little campaign tactics used to give my husband. I’m proud of the fact that he worked with Mayor Ledford…and I’m proud of the fact that Mayor Ledford did end up debating her – because he booted her behind. Music?! That warrants a big ol’ wtf. LOL She’s a loon.
Scott Pelka says
Maggie is nutz
AV Town Crier says
Why should he waste his time with her. She’s a joke and doesn’t have a snowball in hell chance of winning. She just likes to run for office because she doesn’t have any thing else better to do.
As for Desmond Decker who also is running is a nice guy and smart. But he’s not to dynamic and comes across as boring. He doesn’t have a chance to beat Mayor Ledford either.
Shunnon Thomas says
He actually did her a favor by not debating her. Now she can publicly claim that he is “scared” to debate her. I don’t think he wants to embarrass in a public forum her given her various “enthusiasms”.
Rentlek Ttam says
She keeps saying that Jim has to “face the people of Palmdale”. Actually, no dear, YOU DO!
And, from what it sounds like, you already did (at the Palmdale Chamber) and provided quite a bit of comic relief…
Jo says
I think this lady has gotten herself declared a “frivolous litigant” in the San Fernando valley by the Judicial Council of California. Guess Jim won’t have to worry about her suing him.
Rentlek Ttam says
A Lawsuit Queen – how nice!
So, in other words, she tries to file lawsuits against people to keep them from questioning her ?
Pedro Terraciano says
Is this the same gal who has tried running for every office from Dog Catcher to state Senate?
This chick must have a huge ego. Too bad that her ego is costing the taxpayers so much money [the City of Palmdale pays $100,000.oo to run an election] She must have been picked on in high school and now feels the need to be ‘popular’. What else could explain these desparate and expensive cries for attention?
Hey chick! go get some psychological help! Running for office wont make you feel more special, it just makes more people despise you. I am one of them and TRUST ME when I tell you that there are many, many others!
Miffed American says
She does have a huge ego and Castigating and admonishing anybody who has views and ideas that don’t agree with her own. She isn’t a good fit for the A.V. Clearly Mayor Leford has done a supurb job to the community that has elected him time and time again. He has been Mayor how long? He has been challenged I might add and won each time.
Rentlek Ttam says
So she wants to play music at a candidate debate? Really? LOL!
I think she missed her calling…but she can still find it. I heard there’s a circus tent set up next to the AV Mall this week! Maybe they’re taking applications and have a quota to meet?