Abel Maldonado. Photo courtesy of www.blog.latinovations.com

The San Luis Obispo Tribune reports that G.O.P. Congressional candidate Abel Maldonado backed out of a scheduled appearance with the North County Tea Party at the Atascadero Lake Pavillion on Monday. Organizer and Tea Party officer Lydia Thompson even went a bit further in saying that the failure to appear would cost Maldonado her vote. About 50 people had attended hoping to hear from Maldonado, who is running for the 24th Congressional seat against Democratic incumbent Lois capps. Campaign Communication Director Kurt Bardella said Maldonado had to cancel because of a family conflict. Thompson was told by the campaign last Thursday that Maldonado would not be able to attend, however Thompson said renting the venue could cost as much as $400 and the group did not waste the evening, and instead presentations were given about the state propositions on the November ballot.