Arkansas Race to be a Hot One

Arkansas, the land that Bill Clinton built, is hosting one of the most dynamic gubernatorial races in the country in 2006. Incumbant Mike Huckabee, a Republican, owns a 60% approval rating. Normally that would speak well for a Republican candidate (Huckabee is ineligible for another term).

Asa Hutchison, the man who replaced Tom Ridge as the undersecretary for the Department of Homeland Security, has a true fight on his hands to win the job. Being a former appointee of George W. Bush may be acting as a handicap to the candidate.

On the Democratic ticket there are two. They are Attorney General Mike Beebe, and Bill Halter a former cabinet member of the Clinton Administration. A current elected official versus a member of the Clinton White House smells like a barn burner.

Unfortunately for Halter this primary hasn't ignited like he would have liked. The nuances of elections are playing a major role. Halter has been out of the limelight for a while and his political capital has grown stale. Whereas Beebe is an incumbant for a statewide position and has been before the voters at the polls recently (2002).

Halter also jumped into the race too late. His only hope is for Bill Clinton to make a strong commitment to his campaign.

So most likely Arkansas voters will see Mike Beebe and Asa Hutchison on the ballot for November. Polls show this race would be highly contested with Beebe having the advantage.

Campaign Websites:
Asa Hutchison
Mike Beebe
Bill Halter