The Incumbent Refuses to Debate Jamie Four Times

Here’s What We Can Do About It

Incumbent Congresswoman Lateefah Simon refuses to Debate Jamie Joyce four times

The League of Women voters gave Congresswoman Simon and me four opportunities to sit in a forum together (a sort of polite debate on stage in front of the public). I said yes to all four. She said no to all four. In my opinion, this is suppression of democracy by way of depriving voters access to information. And I think it’s a shame.

But at least, I know it's not personal. It's a habit of the Congresswoman, actually. In 2024, the League held no forum for this seat because she declined, though her opponent, Dr. Jennifer Tran, was publicly calling for one. That January, journalist Lee Fang reported that she'd refused to follow up with debating him, too, even though he reports she initially agreed.

I get the appeal of skipping it. Town halls are comfortable: you control the mic, you pick the questions or the audience members who ask the questions, and nobody's standing next to you with a different answer. A forum is less cozy. Same questions, same clock, and an audience that gets to compare. The point is to give voters information so they can make informed choices.

When she stays home, I think she is suppressing democracy because I have to stay home too. FEC rules say a nonprofit-hosted debate needs at least two candidates. The League's national guidance treats that as a hard ‘no’ in federal races. We're the only two on the ballot, so her ‘no’ cancels my ‘yes.’ And let’s be honest, this is done because there is someone who benefits most from silence, and it’s usually the incumbent - who already has the official platform, the press and the name recognition.

I could complain about this, but instead I like to fix things. So I drafted a petition to the FEC. It asks them to let established, nonpartisan groups like the League hold the forum anyway when a candidate turns down every date offered, and refuses to counteroffer with a remote (Zoom) option. Only groups with a real track record of hosting forums would qualify and there are guardrails to keep it fair: independent questions, no fundraising, no empty-chair stunts, and a standing offer for the absent candidate to answer the same questions on the record.

The rule would apply to any candidate who declines remote options and multiple dates, incumbent or challenger, me included (though I would always find the time to attend one if asked). At first, I thought it should only apply to incumbents who have a default advantage (that’s what is stated in the video, but that’s since been updated).

But the FEC can't act on it just yet. It hasn't had enough commissioners to make rules since May 2025, but the petition could be ready when the FEC has enough people for a quorum so they are ready to act, and every voter and civic group that signs makes it a stronger request. So I hope the League of Women voters joins me in signing the petition and encouraging the FEC to update its guidelines - and I thank the League of Women voters for doing this hard work every election cycle and in-between, to ensure democracy thrives in the 21st Century.

Thank you for your wonderful work in the world.

Sign the petition here: [petition link]

Yours in service,
Jamie Joyce