JONESBORO, Ark. (AP) - Republican U.S. Rep Rick Crawford and Democratic challenger Scott Ellington are set to meet for their only debate in the race for an east Arkansas congressional seat.

The two rivals for Arkansas' 1st congressional debate planned to meet at Arkansas State University Thursday night for the debate. The event also features Green Party nominee Jacob Holloway and Libertarian Jessica Paxton.

Crawford was elected to the seat in 2010 and is seeking a second term. His seat is 1 of 2 longtime Democratic districts in the state that Republicans won in the 2010 election. Ellington is a local prosecutor who has criticized Crawford for not agreeing to other debates.

Thursday night's debate is hosted by ASU's political science and radio-television departments and The Jonesboro Sun.

It begins at 6:30 p.m.

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