Libertarian candidate for governor Frank Gilbert and Green Party candidate Josh Drake have been excluded from KATV’s October 7th debate between Democratic & Republican candidates for governor, Mike Ross and Asa Hutchinson (respectively). The debate will be held at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and aired live by KATV, Fort Smith and Fayetteville station KHBS/KHOG and Jonesboro station KAIT. “The decision to ignore and therefore silence half the candidates in this race is inexplicable,” says Gilbert. Josh Drake also believes that the exclusion of himself and Gilbert is unfair. KATV News Director, Nick Gentry, responded saying: “In determining which candidates we invite to the debate, we use the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) rules, which includes the candidates that meet the 15% polling threshold to qualify.” This becomes a problem when neither Drake nor Gilbert are included in a majority of the polls. Another problem arises when looking at the history and make-up of the Commission on Presidential Debates. This 501(c)(3) was established by the Democratic and Republican parties and 1987 and is made up today of Democrats and Republicans. If the Democrats and Republicans are looking out for their best interests, it would make sense for this commission to want to keep the two-party duopoly that America and Arkansas have. Basing who can participate in a local debate on whether or not the candidates meet the proper polling requirements of the commission that is run by the major parties who are looking out for their own interests is an unfair practice. Both the Green Party and the Libertarian Party have spent countless hours gathering the necessary signatures for ballot placement, choosing the best candidates to run for office, and supporting these candidates during campaign season. They deserve to have their spots in the gubernatorial debate. Their voices deserve to be heard. We are asking that KATV consider changing their rules so that ballot placement is reason enough to include candidates in a debate.