For Immediate Release
Friday, May 28, 2010

Three Arkansas Democratic Primary Candidates Endorse Lt. Governor Bill Halter for the U.S. Senate

North Little Rock -- Lieutenant Governor Bill Halter today announced endorsements from three former candidates in the June 8 Democratic Primary Runoff Election: State Representative David Cook of Williford (Sharp County), Patrick Kennedy of Little Rock and Greg Leding of Fayetteville.

"Bill Halter is the face of change for Arkansas and I know he will work to bring more jobs and educational opportunities to our state," said Cook, a retired school administrator and three-term state legislator from Northeast Arkansas. Cook competed in the primary race for U.S. Representative in the 1st Congressional District of Arkansas.

Kennedy, a former policy director for the Clinton School of Public Service who made his inaugural bid for public office in the 2nd District Congressional race, said: "Halter has proven he is not afraid to take on vested special interests that have had their say for too long in Arkansas and national politics. He is a breath of progressive fresh air."

"Bill Halter took what had been a limited state office as Lieutenant Governor and led the charge for a bold new college scholarship program that will help thousands of Arkansas students and families beginning this fall," said Leding, a contract Web designer for Fayetteville Public Schools. Leding won his primary election for State Representative by winning more than 60 percent of the vote in District 92, which encompasses most of Fayetteville in Northwest Arkansas. He has no Republican opposition in the November election.

"We are pleased to have the support of three candidates from three separate regions of the state, all of whom ran aggressive campaigns for elective office," Halter Campaign Manager Carol Butler said. "The momentum of the Bill Halter for Senate campaign for change on behalf of middle-class Arkansas families continues to build toward the June 8 runoff election."