Arkansas State University’s School of Media and Journalism hosted the first live broadcast debate of the 2024 election season with running candidates for U.S. Representative District 1. 

ASU-TV, The Herald, KLEK-FM, KASU-FM and Red Wolf Radio sponsored the first out of three political debates scheduled for this month, beginning on Oct. 3 at 6 p.m at ASU-TV studio.

Galen Perkins, instructor of creative media production (CMP), said the CMP students are getting a chance to interact with the mechanics and real world concepts of broadcasting debates with real politicians. 

“Students took ownership of it and ran everything,” Perkins said. “Everything that you saw or heard tonight was run by a student. In fact, my goal was to just sit back in the corner and watch everything happen.”

Perkins said it is important to have student involvement in our elections as a lot of the topics that are addressed affect students.

“Having it here on campus, we’re inviting these politicians to our local turf so that they get to know the students and they get to know different people from the community that they might not otherwise get a chance to interact with,” Perkins said. 

Rodney Govens and Steve Parsons were present for the debate and republican candidate and incumbent, Rick Crawford did not attend. 

Govens, Democratic candidate from Cabot, Arkansas said it’s important for young voters to participate in this upcoming election.

“This is the most consequential election of your lifetime, you need to go vote,” Govens said. “Voting now is for everybody’s tomorrow.”

Parsons, Libertarian candidate from Lakeview, Arkansas said it’s important to mobilize younger voters because they are the future. 

“One of the things I’ve done, not that this is exceptionally easy, I’ll do a lot of MMS (multimedia messaging service). I’ll be sending out MMS after the debates, in particular, that’ll have my headshot, my logo, links to my website, links to the debate. And I think that’s going to be a little more likely to hit younger voters,” Parsons said. 

Govens’ platform includes policy initiatives such as updating the Farm Bill and creating fair labor policies for farmers, expanding broadband access and addressing income inequality. 

He advocates for criminal justice reform, affordable housing, environmental sustainability and investment in education to prepare the workforce of tomorrow. He also supports cybersecurity for public schools, veterans’ support and healthcare (mental health services too). His focus is on creating economic stability and promoting small business. 

Parsons’ platform focuses on reducing inflation by eliminating trade tariffs, cutting federal regulations and lowering federal spending. He advocates for immigration reform to reduce bureaucracy and eliminate tariffs on Latin American goods and services. Parsons supports prison reform, particularly for nonviolent offenses and opposes high military spending — calling for a reduction. In foreign military engagements. His economic approach centers on limiting federal intervention and creating clearer paths to residency for immigrants. 

Debate panelists for the night included Brandon Tabor, KASU News Director; LaGanzie Kale, KLEK General Manager; and Jerry Don Burton, Editor-in-Chief of A-State’s The Herald. 

The 40-minute debate highlighted key issues for Jonesboro residents and for A-State students as they engage in this year’s election, such as unemployment, healthcare, housing, immigration, student debt and improving or enhancing Arkansas’ agricultural and steel industry.

Parsons said it’s important to create a pathway for legal permanent residency and work permits for undocumented workers in his discussion on immigration. In regards to student debt forgiveness, Parsons said he will not work towards a plan to forgive student loans. 

“It’s not fair to somebody who went to school, took out a loan, repaid the loan, or someone who went to school never took out a loan,” Parsons said. “More importantly, it’s not fair to the people who never went to school.”

Govens focused on healthcare and student loan forgiveness, stressing the need for welfare support. Throughout the event, Govens repeatedly criticized Crawford for his absence.

“I think it’s completely disrespectful (Crawford’s absence),” Govens said. “I know I’m not supposed to take this stuff personally, but I will. It makes me sad and angry, but really it’s the disrespect and audacity for me.”

Perkins said for the next upcoming debate, there will be finer tuning on the technology side of things, but will be doing overall the same formatting from Thursday night. 

The next political debate will take place on Oct. 16 at 6 p.m., with Arkansas Senate District 20 candidates, Dan Sullivan and Erika Askeland.

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