Eureka Springs, AR – Jonesboro Right Now – During a debate in Eureka Springs last week, two contenders for Arkansas’ highest office traded sharp words about policy, preparation, and each other’s credentials to lead.

The debate was moderated by Roby Brock, publisher and CEO of Talk Business & Politics.

Hosted by the Arkansas Press Association, the forum featured Democratic state Sen. Fredrick Love and Libertarian nominee Colt Shelby. Republican incumbent Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders declined to participate, a move Brock noted at the beginning of the debate.

The event opened with brief remarks from each candidate before shifting to discussions of their specific policy platforms. Love, drawing on his 16 years of experience in the Arkansas General Assembly, framed his campaign around fixing systemic issues, while Shelby positioned himself as an outsider representing small-business and working-class interests.

“I have three questions,” Love said during his opening statement. “How many of you all know that we cannot afford another four years under Sarah Sanders? How many of you all know that my opponent, Colt Shelby, does not have the experience to run state government? How many of you all know that I have been serving you for the last 16 years in the Arkansas State Legislature, and I am ready on day one?”

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Shelby responded with a question of his own. “I just got one question: What’d you do in 16 years?” he asked.

A central point of contention centered on the state’s Education Freedom Accounts (EFA), Arkansas’ school voucher program. Both candidates expressed skepticism about the policy’s sustainability, but they sharply disagreed on how the executive branch should handle it.

“The public does not want EFA accounts,” Love said. “I will not administer EFA accounts. As the executive of the state, my Department of Education will not administer EFA accounts.”

When the moderator followed up to clarify if Love was stating he would not follow the law regarding the vouchers, Love clarified. “I am saying I will be issuing an executive order and I will not be administering those accounts.”

Shelby, while agreeing that the state cannot afford the accounts in their current structure, cautioned against an immediate and total halt to the program.

“We can’t take it completely away because we’ll hurt kids that are currently on that opportunity,” Shelby said. “Once we start something like that, it’s—it affects their lives. And now, the only way to get away from that is to scale it back in increments until we can get away from the EFA accounts.”

The candidates also split over expanding medical coverage and the state’s role in Medicaid. Love criticized the recent removal of individuals from Medicaid, citing the economic strain on local hospitals.

“There’s about 500,000 people that we have cut off Medicaid roles, 100,000 of them being children. You all, this is unacceptable,” Love said. “We should not only protect Medicaid, but we have to invest in Medicaid.”

Shelby expressed concern over the financial feasibility of funding the program entirely through state funds if federal compliance guidelines are not met.

“Unfortunately, we can’t afford that because we already spend about $1.8 billion on just 811,000 folks that’s on it,” Shelby said, noting that the state must find ways to work within federal mandates while helping individuals move into the workforce.

On the issue of infrastructure and local control regarding data centers, Shelby said the choice should rest entirely with local communities. “I think the state’s policy should be whatever the people want. If they want a data center, give them a data center; if they don’t want one, it shouldn’t go there.”

Love advocated a different approach, calling for an immediate, temporary halt to the construction of new facilities. “There should definitely be a moratorium on data centers,” Love said, citing a need to study the long-term ecological and infrastructural impacts.

The forum concluded with both candidates presenting their visions for day one in office if elected. Love stated his first action would be an executive order to stop voucher accounts, while Shelby focused on restructuring state agency leadership to increase accountability.

Voters will make their final decision at the ballot box this November. Information on Craighead County elections is available online, and registration status can be found at the Secretary of State’s website.

Voter registration forms are available at the County Clerk’s Office at 511 S. Main St., Suite 202, Jonesboro. You can also call the County Clerk’s Office at 870-933-4520 to check your voting status.

The full debate will air on ArkansasTV on July 8 at 6 PM and will be available online.

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