Here’s the string for the ever popular races for lieutenant governor.
Can money buy the Democratic nomination? UPDATE: No, not yet.
Is the Republican primary a cult of personality? UPDATE: Yes.
FIRST RETURNS: Halter and Wooldridge neck and neck, but early vote is from Northeast Arkansas.
LATER: With broader returns, Halter increases lead over Wooldridge, but Hathorn edges up. Prediction for the final: Halter leads, no better than 40 percent and likely less, but too close to call on second place given regional variations. A 40-point finish for Halter could spell BIG trouble in the runoff for a candidate with lots of money but no base to speak of. Under 40 by any signifcant amount and he could be toast. At our bedtime, too close to call on second place.
REPUBLICAN NEWS: Big win for Holt. He even beat Chuck Banks handily in Pulaski County. He starts with 45 percent against whoever survives the Democratic primary and need not spend a dime for it.