Collection:LPB

Genre: Debate

Place Covered: Ruston, Lincoln Parish, Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 2016-10-18

Duration: 01:28:16

Subjects: Politics | Government | Elections, 2016 | United States Senate election in Louisiana, 2016 | Louisiana Tech University | Fleming, John C. | Kennedy, John Neely | Fayard, Caroline | Campbell, Foster L. | Boustany, Charles W., Jr. | Television debates

Contributors:

• Courtney, Beth Moderator
• Erwin, Barry Moderator
• Fleming, John Panelist
• Kennedy, John Panelist
• Fayard, Caroline Panelist
• Campbell, Foster Panelist
• Boustany, Charles Panelist
• Spires, Kelly Speaker
• Hilburn, Greg Speaker
• Crisp, Elizabeth Speaker
• Alford, Jeremy Speaker

Beth Courtney and Barry Erwin of the Council for a Better Louisiana (CABL) moderate a live debate from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston on October 18, 2016, between the top five candidates for United States Senate: United States Congressman John Fleming (R); State Treasurer John Kennedy (R); Attorney Caroline Fayard (D); Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell (D); and United States Congressman Charles Boustany (R). In lieu of an opening statement, the candidates answer a question on how their professional career has prepared them to become Louisiana’s next United States Senator. For the first round, a panel of journalists asks the candidates questions. The panelists are: Kelly Spires of Louisiana Public Broadcasting; Greg Hilburn of the USA Today Network; Elizabeth Crisp of the Advocate; and Jeremy Alford of LaPolitics. The candidates answer questions on the following topics: reforming the Affordable Care Act (also known as Obamacare); the United States’ obligations in global conflicts; their willingness to compromise; reforming the Stafford Act regarding federal disaster management; balancing the needs of Louisiana’s industries and the environment; job creation; overcoming Louisiana’s lack of seniority in the United States Senate; their priorities for Supreme Court nominees; and the federal government’s role in setting education policy. For the second round, the candidates ask each other a question. For the final round, the moderators ask the candidates a series of lightning round questions. The debate ends with each candidate’s closing statement.