Bill Halter got some important endorsements this week from some prominent candidates in different parts of the state.
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.”
Our readers might note that three of the four of these candidates got our endorsement as well. Of course, we have endorsed Bill Halter, but we have also endorsed future Rep. Greg Leding of Fayetteville and Rep David Cook who took third place in the first district race for US congress. While we gave Kennedy his due consideration, we endorsed Joyce Elliott for the second district.
It will be interesting to see if Leding’s endorsement can turn Washington County in Bill Halter’s favor. His loss there on May 18th was cited as a key loss for him along with Pulaski County. However, his better than expected wins in rural areas counter acted these losses. If Halter can use the support from Leding to get over the top in Washington County, Lincoln will have a hard time making up those lost votes elsewhere in the third district, which she won by less than 2,000 votes.
Cook’s endorsement could help Halter sure up a few more votes in the first district which he performed somewhat better than expected on election night. Halter lost by less than 4% of the vote and Cook garnered around 15% in his primary there. Could this help Halter over the top?
Regarding Greg Leding voters…
From what I saw up here in Fayetteville, a strong majority of Leding voters were already Halter voters as well. His endorsement is not likely to swing votes. His effort to turn his voters out for the runoff will ABSOLUTELY make a difference. It’s not so much the endorsement…its the mobilizing of his voters just to show up!