Arkansas TV announces lineup for state, federal debates next month

Arkansas’ public television station will host political debates for seven state and federal offices next month, but without Republican U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton.

Cotton’s opponents, Democrat Hallie Shoffner and Libertarian Jeff Wadlin, will debate live at Arkansas TV headquarters in Conway at 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 12. The debate will be rebroadcast at 7 p.m.

Shoffner and Wadlin will also participate in an Oct. 22 debate at ASU-TV, Arkansas State University’s student-led broadcast station in Jonesboro. Cotton will not be present, according to an ASU-TV news release.

Cotton and Shoffner both announced this month that they accepted invitations to a debate hosted by conservative Christian news outlet Salem Media. The date and time have not yet been announced.

Cotton participated in the public television network’s debate in his successful 2014 campaign against then-Democratic Sen. Mark Pryor. He opted out of the debate in his 2020 reelection campaign against Libertarian Ricky Dale Harrington. Cotton did not face a Democratic challenger that year.

Republican U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford of the 1st Congressional District will not participate in an Oct. 8 ASU-TV debate against Democrat Terri Yarbrough Green and Libertarian Steve Parsons. The 1st District covers much of north and northeast Arkansas, as well as the Delta.

Crawford will debate both his opponents at Arkansas TV on Oct. 14 at 11 a.m. The debate will be rebroadcast at 6 p.m.

Rep. French Hill, who represents central Arkansas’ 2nd Congressional District, will debate Democrat Chris Jones at 1:30 on Oct. 15, and the debate will rerun at 8 p.m.

Republican U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman, who represents the 4th Congressional District, will debate Democrat James Russell III at 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 12, and the debate will be rerun at 6 p.m. The 4th Congressional District is the state’s largest, comprising all or part of 35 counties.

Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders will debate Democratic state Sen. Fred Love and Libertarian Colt Shelby at 10 a.m. on Oct. 13. The debate will rerun at 7 p.m.

GOP U.S. Rep. Steve Womack of northwest Arkansas’ 3rd Congressional District faces Libertarian Bobby Wilson, who challenged him in 2024, and Democrat Robb Ryerse. The debate will be livestreamed Oct. 14 at 2 p.m. and rerun at 7 p.m.

The three candidates vying for the undefended secretary of state office will debate Oct. 15 at 10 a.m., and the debate will rerun at 6 p.m. Republican state Sen. Kim Hammer and Democrat Kelly Grappe face Libertarian Michael Pakko, who ran for treasurer in 2024.

During all seven debates, a panel of journalists will ask candidates questions moderated by veteran Arkansas TV anchor Steve Barnes.