Advertisement EXCLUSIVE: Arkansas State Senate candidates discuss post-debate confrontation Share Shares Copy Link Copy

This video begins with 40/29's raw interview with candidate Greg Leding, which is followed by the raw interview with candidate Dawn Clemence.Clemence, a Republican, and Leding, a Democrat, are running for Arkansas State Senate District 4. The two debated Tuesday evening at Old Main on the University of Arkansas campus in Fayetteville.Two cell phone videos show an altercation after the debate. One was a Facebook Live shot by the Leding campaign. The other was a video shot by Republican Justice of the Peace candidate Todd Crane.Clemence told 40/29 News that Leding used profanity and got too close to her."I'm looking at someone who is right in my space and he is reaching for my face," Clemence said. "I don't know what he is going to do and he puts his hand on my shoulder.""Would my opponent have gotten up in my face, pushed back on me, and threatened me with vulgar language and intimidation if I was a man? Would he have done that? I don't think so," Clemence said.Leding told 40/29 he apologized and was frustrated with how Clemence had characterized his record in the Arkansas House of Representatives. He said he wasn't trying to intimidate Clemence."I am a tall guy, I certainly wasn't trying to be intimidating," Leding said. "There was a lot of frustration for both of us.""It was sort of a small space, I hopped up on stage, we were near the edge of the stage, just wanted to make sure neither one of us was too close, so it was close quarters," Leding said. Leding also released a public statement on the interaction:"After the forum, I left the stage. My opponent made some additional comments to me, so I hopped back up on stage, joining her at its edge. I've worked very hard to serve all the people who live in the district I represent -- work that has consistently included legislation and advocacy for women, teachers, students, firefighters, working families, and more -- and that work's been misrepresented in this campaign. I was frustrated, but it's not acceptable to act on that. I apologize to Mrs. Clemence.""In these closing weeks of the campaign, I'll continue to hold public events, keep walking door to door, and keep working hard for all Arkansans."Leding posted a second apology on his Facebook page Friday:I’m sorry. Fully, and without qualification.I spent the first several hours after Tuesday night’s exchange with my opponent wondering how I let that happen, why I let that happen.The reality of the moment is irrelevant. I made a mistake, and I fully own that. Such a response is never OK, and I am truly sorry.I’ve apologized to my opponent. But those who’ve supported me, the women who’ve supported me, those who’ve supported my opponent, my family—everyone—deserves my apology.And I promise to keep working every day to merit the support and trust that so many of you have shown over the years.I’m going to spend the next 11 days of this campaign doing what I’d done prior to Tuesday: Working hard to show the people who I’ve served and those I hope to serve that I’m proud of my record, proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish together, and that I’ll keep working for all Arkansans.Thank you for your support.