Two-time Arkansas Democratic Senator Blanche Lincoln overcame anti-incumbent sentiment Tuesday to win a hardfought run-off against upstart challenger Bill Halter.
Lincoln, whose campaign had enjoyed support from President Barack Obama as well as the service of former President Bill Clinton during campaigning, squeezed home by a 51.9 percent to 48.1 percent margin.
Halter and Lincoln had entered the head-to-head run-off after the incumbent senator failed to win 50 percent of votes in a May 18 primary.
Halter won backing from influential unions and progressive groups during his campaign, while Lincoln angered liberals for failing to support a public health insurance option in Obama’s historic health reforms.
Lincoln will now challenge Republican representative John Boozman in November’s mid-term elections. Boozman has a comfortable lead over his Democratic rivals according to most recent polls.
Washington, June 8, 2010 (AFP)
