Debates used to mean something in Arkansas politics. Now they’re an afterthought.

By: Andrew DeMillo

Outlets: Arkansas Advocate

Published: October 4, 2026

Words: 796

Last Updated: 3 days, 22 hours ago

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Seeking a breakout moment in his bid to unseat Mark Pryor in Arkansas’ nationally watched Senate race 12 years ago, Tom Cotton borrowed an idea from the 19th century.

Cotton challenged the two-term Democratic incumbent to a series of debates patterned after the 1858 meetings between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas. With no moderators or panelists, the two candidates would instead ask each other questions.

“There used to be …

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