David Huckabee, son of Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, is a freshman at Arkansas State University this fall.

Huckabee said he chose ASU over schools like the University of Mississippi at Oxford, Ouachita Baptist University, Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., and the University of Arkansas partly because ASU administrators assured him he would be treated like any other student.

Huckabee said the administration and faculty have kept their word, treating him pretty much like all the other students. He said he hopes this will continue.

Huckabee said some students treat him differently, but he said he is used to it.

"(People) will like me for who I am, or they'll hate me for who I am," he said.

"They'll like me because of who my dad is, or they'll hate me because of who my dad is," Huckabee said.

Huckabee just asks for one thing. "Don't judge me before you know me.

"I'd rather people just judged me on my personality and my character and my integrity," he said.

An avid outdoorsman, Huckabee said he also chose ASU because it is located in duck hunting country.

"I figured I could get a schedule that's two days a week and go duck hunting three days a week," he said.

Huckabee said the excellent reputation of ASU's debate team also influenced his decision to attend school here. He now is a member of the Forensics Team.

He said he chose to go to school in Arkansas so he could get involved in the state political process.

"The experience I'll get in-state was kind of what I was looking for," he said.

Huckabee recently was elected freshman senator.

"It was a fun election because I got to do some political strategies," he said.

Huckabee said he plans to suggest solutions to the parking problem during his time as senator.

He said, "I don't think the $200 lot is feasible. Nobody wants to pay $200 to have a reserved parking spot."

He said the university should reduce the price of parking in the lot by at least half.

Huckabee said he thinks the university should issue special parking stickers to students who live on campus, allowing them to park in a lot near the residence halls.

"I don't see the point in us having to park at somebody else's house so we can get to ours," he said.

Huckabee also is a member of the Hall Council for Twin Towers and serves as parliamentarian for the College Republicans.

He is working toward a double major in political science and speech communications. He said he plans to pursue a career in politics.

"My dream is to either be the President or to be the one who makes the President the President," he said.

Huckabee said his dad has scheduled a tailgate party at ASU for this football season and may bring his band, "Capital Offense," to perform at the party.

He said his dad plays bass guitar with the group.

"I was really impressed with how good they are," he said.

He said his dad plays the six-string guitar and owns another guitar Lynard Skynard autographed and gave to the governor. Like his father, Huckabee is a Republican. He said he is registered to vote in Craighead County because he will spend most of his time in that county.

Huckabee is a 1998 graduate of Parkview Arts and Science Magnet School in Little Rock. During high school, he was active in theater, debate, choir and student government.