CONWAY, Ark. (AP) - Republican Tom Cotton is set to square off with Democratic rival Gene Jeffress and two third-party candidates for a televised debate as they compete for an open congressional seat in south Arkansas.

Cotton, Jeffress, Green Party candidate Joshua Drake and Libertarian nominee Bobby Tullis are scheduled to meet Thursday afternoon for the taping of the debate that is to be broadcast at 8 p.m. on AETN.

Cotton is an Army veteran and former management consultant. Jeffress is a state senator and former schoolteacher.

They're running to replace Democratic Rep. Mike Ross in Arkansas' 4th District.

Ross announced last year that he would not seek re-election to the district he's represented since 2000, raising Republican hopes for a sweep of the state's four congressional districts.

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