Harding alumnus Ricky Dale Harrington Jr. recently ran for election as the Libertarian candidate to represent Arkansas in the United States Senate. Harrington, a 35-year-old former prison chaplain, said he decided to run after seeing the need for third parties and new ideas in our political system and a growing disdain for the two-party system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am of the opinion that we need other political parties in our political system,\u201d Harrington said. \u201cIn America, it\u2019s just Democrat and Republican, and I used to be a Democrat \u2026 I just took the leap of faith politically. I have always been involved in politics, but I just could no longer support the two-party system.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Harrington ended up being Republican Senator Tom Cotton\u2019s main opponent after Cotton\u2019s Democrat challenger dropped out of the race. Because of this, Harrington attracted state and national interest which led to the local PBS affiliate scheduling a debate between the two candidates. Cotton declined to attend, but Harrington went solo, leading to one of the most memorable \u2014 and his personal favorite \u2014 moments from the campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAfter that debate, we raised almost $60,000,\u201d Harrington said. \u201cIt really was such a memorable moment, both preparing for it beforehand with my team and then the amazing aftermath.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although Harrington lost the race, he garnered nearly a third of all votes and won the heavily populated Pulaski County, something no third-party candidate has done in recent years. Because of this, several Harrington supporters and Arkansas residents are paying attention to Harrington\u2019s future in politics, including Harding senior Ben Gazaway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBecause we see so few non-partisan candidates running for national offices, I would like to see him rise in the political landscape, whether that\u2019s at a state level or at a federal level,\u201d Gazaway said. \u201cIt\u2019s not just because I support his beliefs, but because I believe he could help inspire change in the country as a whole.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gazaway was not alone in believing in the change that Harrington could bring. Junior Ethan Brazell, who interviewed Harrington for HU16, saw firsthand Harrington\u2019s strengths as a political figure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI truly think his message resonated with Arkansans because his rhetoric is very unifying,\u201d Brazell said. \u201cHe has unique positions on many issues and puts people over politics. He is also a very devoted follower of Christ and that reflects throughout his positions. He is very optimistic, pragmatic and kind, and I think those characteristics made him very appealing to voters.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After getting involved in politics and running a campaign for the Senate, Harrington said he has some words of advice for any Harding students who may be wanting to pursue a similar path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou have to start getting involved in your community when you are young,\u201d Harrington said. \u201cIf you have time, go to the capital and figure out what kind of laws are being passed and go ahead and build your own platform. [Be] engaged right now, and don\u2019t wait until you\u2019re older.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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