For Immediate Release
Thursday, May 27, 2010

HALTER SEIZES MOMENTUM, LEADS IN FUNDRAISING AND POLLS

With less than 2 weeks left, another DC incumbent in dire trouble

North Little Rock – As he shows a narrow lead in the second-straight public poll, Lt. Governor Bill Halter today reported out-raising Sen. Blanche Lincoln, a two-term incumbent Senator, by almost $225,000.

“This is an incredible show of momentum for Lt. Governor Halter as we head into the final two weeks of the runoff,” said campaign manager Carol Butler. “Clearly Arkansas Democrats are ready for change.”

In the fundraising period for Apr. 29-May 19, Lt. Gov. Halter raised $777,119.94, easily outpacing Sen. Lincoln, who raised $552,289.91. Of her total, nearly half--$232,770.41—came from political action committees.

A new Research 2000 Arkansas Poll coming out today on Daily Kos showed Lt. Gov. Halter with a lead over Sen. Lincoln, 47%-44%, the second straight public poll showing Lt. Gov. Halter with a lead in the runoff. Full poll here.

* Lt. Gov. Halter has a +42 favorable/unfavorable rating in the Democratic Party Runoff, with 63% of runoff voters holding a favorable view of him, and only 21% holding an unfavorable view.
* By comparison, those same Democratic Party Primary voters give Sen. Lincoln only a +23% rating, getting a favorable rating from 59% and a negative rating from 36%.
* Lt. Gov. Halter leads Sen. Lincoln among women, 51%-39%.
* Lt. Gov. Halter leads Sen. Lincoln among African Americans, 58%-28%.
* Of the four congressional districts, Sen. Lincoln only leads in her home district. Lt. Gov. Halter leads in the 2nd and 3rd districts, and they are tied in the 4th district.

Sen. Lincoln would almost certainly lose to Rep. Boozman, as 58% of the state’s voters view her unfavorably, and Rep. Boozman enjoys a 58%-38% lead over her. She is losing every single region of the state to Rep. Boozman, including Eastern Arkansas. A quarter of Democratic voters would support Rep. Boozman in a general election.

He performs better against Republican nominee Rep. John Boozman, leading among women and in the Little Rock region as well as in Southern Arkansas. Lt. Gov. Halter is currently behind in a head-to-head matchup against Rep. Boozman, 53%-42%.

The Research 2000 Arkansas Poll was conducted from May 24 through May 26, 2010. A total of 600 likely voters who vote regularly in state elections were interviewed statewide by telephone.