Thread: Blanche Lincoln Takes Early Lead Against Bill Halter in Sena

We should probably be watching this race as well

By The Associated Press
5/18/2010 8:46:00 PM


Sen. Blanche Lincoln and Lt. Gov. Bill Halter were both hoping Tuesday to win the Democratic Senate nomination outright, but acknowledged that a three-week sprint to a runoff could be added to the marathon campaign.

LITTLE ROCK — Sen. Blanche Lincoln took an early lead among ballots cast in advance of Tuesday's primary as she sought the Democratic nomination in a bitter, nationally watched race with the state's lieutenant governor, Bill Halter.

Early returns showed Lincoln with 47 percent to Halter's 40 percent of ballots in the 1 percent of precincts counted. Those votes came primarily from people who cast absentee or early ballots in the two-week run-up to the election.

Lincoln and Halter each hoped to reach the 50 percent mark and thus advance to the Nov. 8 general election against the Republican nominee. Both candidates acknowledged that a three-week sprint to a runoff could be added to the marathon campaign.

The primary race became a high-dollar battle between business and labor groups and Lincoln was considered among the most vulnerable incumbents seeking re-election this year.

"I think this race has definitely been nationalized, to the point that Arkansans realize we've got a pretty good thing here. We've got a uniqueness and a personal touch in our campaigns that we would like to hold onto," Lincoln said. "We've got a lot of national money coming in misrepresenting me and my votes and my positions on things."


Halter said his message that Arkansas had to change representation in Washington had resonated with voters.

"If you send the same people to Washington, you're guaranteed to get the same result," Halter said Tuesday.

Republicans were choosing among eight candidates seeking the GOP nomination for Lincoln's post. In the Republican primary, U.S. Rep. John Boozman led in most pre-election polls over state Sen. Gilbert Baker or former state Sen. Jim Holt — both of whom were hoping for a runoff spot.

About a third of the state's 1.6 million voters were expected to cast ballots.

In Camden, H.A. Martin, 69, who runs a ribs catering service and is a Baptist minister, said he voted for Lincoln.

http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article ... 928.134263

NOTE if no one gets 50 percent, there is a runoff in June

Bill Halter (D) 50,560 43%
Blanche Lincoln (D / Inc.) 49,996 42%
32% OF PRECINCTS REPORTING
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35% OF PRECINCTS REPORTING
Bill Halter (D) 54,779 43%
Blanche Lincoln (D / Inc.) 54,002 42%
D.C. Morrison (D) 19,001 15%
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40% OF PRECINCTS REPORTING
Blanche Lincoln (D / Inc.) 59,832 43%
Bill Halter (D) 59,190 42%
D.C. Morrison (D) 20,472 15%
---------------------------------------------------------
48% OF PRECINCTS REPORTING
Blanche Lincoln (D / Inc.) 77,435 44%
Bill Halter (D) 75,738 43%
D.C. Morrison (D) 24,805 14%
---------------------------------------------------------
50% OF PRECINCTS REPORTING
Blanche Lincoln (D / Inc.) 82,758 43%
Bill Halter (D) 81,267 43%
D.C. Morrison (D) 27,027 14%

62% OF PRECINCTS REPORTING
Blanche Lincoln (D / Inc.) 98,759 43%
Bill Halter (D) 97,080 43%
D.C. Morrison (D) 32,506 14%
===============================
67% OF PRECINCTS REPORTING
Blanche Lincoln (D / Inc.) 102,992 43%
Bill Halter (D) 101,249 43%
D.C. Morrison (D) 33,788 14%

79% OF PRECINCTS REPORTING
Blanche Lincoln (D / Inc.) 119,641 44%
Bill Halter (D) 114,914 42%
D.C. Morrison (D) 36,447 13%