City attorney Tom Carr will not participate in tonight's high-profile debate on public-safety issues. The debate is sponsored by the ACLU of Washington and about 40 other civil-rights and minority community organizations.

Although Carr told me earlier this month that he planned to attend the debate, he now says he has a scheduling conflict: A long-planned house party and fundraiser hosted by a friend. "I didn't change my mind—it's the format. It's an hour and a half long, and there's no way you can do two things at once," Carr says.

Carr will send his assistant Ruth Bowman to present a statement on his behalf. Susan Hutchison, a conservative candidate for King County Executive who has given money exclusively to Republicans, is the only other candidate in any race who has confirmed she will not attend tonight's debate.

Peter Holmes, who is challenging Carr, says Carr's decision not to attend tonight's debate is "disappointing. He's repeatedly said that public safety is the central mission of the city attorney's office, and the title of this debate is 'To Protect and Serve.'"

Holmes will still attend the debate, which will be held at the Rainier Valley Cultural Center, 3515 S Alaska Street, starting at 5:30 pm.