Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott has remained silent after receiving an invitation from Fox 45 to participate in a mayoral debate with former Mayor Sheila Dixon.

It has been 35 days since the station extended the invitation to Mayor Scott. Initially, his campaign responded with a series of comments and conditions, demanding an outside moderator and accusing the station of “being entirely incapable of being impartial and ethical.”

Fox 45 News Director David Johns responded by citing the station’s history of hosting fair and honest debates and encouraged Mayor Scott to participate. However, the Scott campaign has not further replied.

“I think for a mayor to answer an honest inquiry this way does not look good politically,” said Retired Professor Richard Vatz. “He owes it to the city of Baltimore to confront his major opposition and to have a debate.”

Fox 45 has hosted political debates for decades, welcoming candidates from all political parties and views. Last week, the three Democratic candidates vying for Baltimore’s next City Council President debated in the Fox 45 studios. Next week, the two Democrats running for Maryland’s next U.S. Senator will debate in the same studio.

However, incumbent Mayor Brandon Scott remains silent as the primary election nears, just 35 days away. “You don’t want to look like you’re afraid to debate, and he looks like he’s afraid to debate,” said Vatz.

The mayor’s silence comes after his initial response to the invitation, which questioned the station’s ability to host an impartial and ethical debate. Despite Fox 45’s assurances of their commitment to fair and honest debates, Mayor Scott has yet to provide a further response or confirm his participation.