Donna Edwards, who nearly unseated U.S. Rep. Albert Wynn last year and is trying again, said the Congressman should have been at Wednesday’s scheduled debate, the first such event leading up to the February primary. “I intend to be at every forum, debate that is organized by voters throughout our Congressional district,” Edwards said. “I can't account for Mr. Wynn’s time that he plans to spend in this campaign and engage with voters on the issues.”

The event sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Hispanic Chamber of Commerce took place at a Gaithersburg restaurant.

“[Wednesday] was the first day back from August recess and the Congressman had official responsibilities throughout the day,” said Lori Sherwood, Wynn’s campaign manager.

Organizers changed the format from a debate to a candidates’ forum because of the absence of Wynn, a Democrat from Mitchellville. “When Congress is in session, his priority is representing the people of the Fourth Congressional District and that means being on Capitol Hill,” she said.

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Sherwood said the first time she became aware of the event was Aug. 15 and that she immediately contacted Jorge Ribas, president and CEO of the chamber, to notify him that Sept. 5 was the first day back in session.

“I did get back to him the same day to let him know that that particular day could be difficult,” and that she would let him know about participating as soon as she could, Sherwood said.

On Aug. 31, Sherwood said Wynn’s campaign called the group and asked if Prince George's County Council member Will Campos could represent Wynn, and Ribas approved the move. Campos is Wynn’s campaign co-chair in Prince George's County.

“Mr. Campos … was not in a position to talk about, in any depth, Mr. Wynn’s positions on the issues,” Edwards said.

According to Ribas, the candidates were first contacted about two months ago, and Wynn kept his group “waiting for many weeks” before responding.

“I'm not making any condemnation,” Ribas said. “We’re just representing the facts.”

dfowler@dcexaminer.com