A debate for the race for U.S. Senate is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Friday at the University of Arkansas student union.

Democrat Conner Eldridge and Libertarian Frank Gilbert have confirmed their appearance. Local journalist Doug Thompson will moderate.

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Will Republican Sen. John Boozman appear? Likely not. To date he’s indicated he’ll only show up for a single AETN debate. Said an Eldridge release:

“It’s so important for voters to hear directly from their candidates on the issues that matter to them — especially in an election year this critical,” said Eldridge. “What our nation and government need right now is more engagement with the people, not less. I’m excited to give Arkansans a chance to see Mr. Gilbert and me, hear where we stand on a number of issues, and understand how we’d each do the job of a U.S. Senator. Sen. Boozman has ignored our repeated calls to debate, as well as invitations to debate from multiple other groups, but just because he doesn’t want to face the Arkansas voters, doesn’t mean I’m going to back down.”

.. “Sen. Boozman’s decision not to participate in debates shows exactly the stark contrast between his 15-year career in Washington and how I will do the job as a U.S. Senator once elected,” said Eldridge. “Sen. Boozman has been an absent and disengaged Senator, traveling to 53 other countries a total of 129 times while only passing 4 bills, all renaming post offices. ….

UPDATE: Late in the day, KUAR quoted Boozman as saying he’d never been “formally” invited to participate. And it said Thompson had withdrawn as moderator. 

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