Bill Halter Makes Strong Showing Against Lincoln in Arkansas Primary Poll

Lt. Gov. Bill Halter has cut into Sen. Blanche's Lincoln's lead in their race for the Democratic senatorial nomination in Arkansas and runs more strongly than she does in match-ups with potential Republican rivals, according to a Daily Kos/Research 2000 poll conducted April 26-28.

While the new poll's results have the same bottom line for Lincoln's failing fortunes, it differs in degree from a Rasmussen Reports poll released Wednesday. In that poll, Lincoln was about 20 points or more behind four of five of the Republicans and in this one, the biggest Republican margins were about half that size. Also, Halter did far better against the Republicans in the Research 2000 poll than the Rasmussen survey.

For the primary, which is May 18, Lincoln is leading Halter by 43 percent to 35 percent with 7 percent preferring another choice and 15 percent undecided. The margin of error is 4 points. If Lincoln falls short of 50%, there will be a runoff on June 8.

In the general election, Lincoln's support ranges from 40 percent to 42 percent against all the GOP candidates. compared to a range of 29 percent to 31 percent in the Rasmussen poll. Rep. John Boozman, who leads her 52 percent to 42 percent. State Sen. Kim Hendren leads her 50 percent to 40 percent. Businessman Curtis Coleman leads her 46 percent to 42 percent. State Sen. Gilbert Baker leads her 47 percent to 40 percent. Tea Party activist Tom Cox leads her 47 percent to 42 percent.

Halter's support when matched against the Republican field ranges from 42 percent to 44 percent, compared to a range of 31 percent to 37 percent in the Rasmussen poll. Boozman, who leads him 47 percent to 42 percent. Hendren leads him 45 percent to 43 percent. Halter leads Coleman leads 43 percent to 41 percent. Baker leads Halter 44 percent to 43 percent. Halter leads Cox leads 44 percent to 42 percent.

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