Republican U.S. Senate nominee Connie Mack IV, who has complained about the Tampa Bay Times' coverage of his campaign and about an editorial endorsement of primary rival Dave Weldon, has turned down an invitation to participate in a nationally televised Tampa Bay Times debate against U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson.

It's the first time in 18 years of hosting debates that a candidate has declined a Tampa Bay Times debate, questioning our ability to be fair. Fellow Republicans Jack Kemp, Jeb Bush, Charlie Crist, Marco Rubio, and Rick Scott have all participated in our debates.

Last time I saw Gov. Scott in person, he volunteered that his advisers tell him he won the governor's race in the debates I helped moderate between him and Democrat Alex Sink.

I don't know what Rep. Mack is afraid of, but he still has a standing invitation to appear again on Political Connections on Bay News 9.