The NAU Student Media Center hosted part two of the 2010 Mayoral Debate between current councilmember Joe Haughey and Mayor Sara Presler. The two candidates used the televised debate to gear up for the end of their mayoral campaigns. Flagstaff’s general election is May 18. The Lumberjack / Emily Carpenter

The second televised Flagstaff mayoral debate of the 2010 election brought even more heated arguments than the first, with incumbent Sara Presler and current councilmember Joe Haughey trading criticisms and insults throughout the hour-long event. The debate was hosted by NAU’s Student Media Center and is the only televised debate before the May 18 general election. Haughey was the first to criticize, bringing up a controversial memo from Flagstaff’s Washington, D.C. lobbyist firm, claiming Presler’s actions in her D.C. trips were unethical and unprofessional. Haughey’s campaign has supported the release of the memo.

“[The scandal] is an embarrassment to me and all the citizens of Flagstaff,” Haughey said.

The memo was brought up for full debate later, and both candidates did not hold back, including Presler bringing up an alleged IRS investigation of Haughey.

“I don’t take my ethics lessons from Joe Haughey or a Washington lobbyist,” Presler said. “[The allegations] are unethical and outright lies.”

Haughey referenced Presler’s past occupation in his rebuttal.

“Wow, this brings out the attorney in you,” Haughey said. “To call me a liar, to do that kind of stuff, offends me.”

The candidates later discussed the issue of affordable housing, which also brought up discontent.

“Joe’s a realtor, so I think these out-of-town contracts are of greater emphasis to him,” Presler said. “Affordable housing is not in Joe’s best interest because it’s less money going into his pockets.”

“I wish [the money] was coming in my pocket, but my opponent doesn’t have an understanding,” Haughey said. “Sometimes I just don’t know how to respond to that kind of stuff.”