Halter gets backing from state labor group

The Arkansas chapter of the AFL-CIO announced it's backing Lt. Gov. Bill Halter (D) in the Senate primary.

Following the lead of the national organization, the executive committee of the Arkansas AFL-CIO Tuesday night approved the early endorsement. It will now be put to a vote at the union's March 27 convention. "This recommendation will be going to our full convention but it will pass," said Alan Hughes, the group's president. "Sen. Lincoln's not listening to working families and their needs."

Hughes noted the union also backed Halter during his 2006 lieutenant governor's race.

Halter said he was "honored" to get labor's support. "With the help of the 30,000 members of the AFL-CIO, and their family members, we can defeat the special interests who try to send our jobs overseas and we can hold Wall Street accountable," he said in a statement.

The Arkansas AFL-CIO also decided to back state Sen. Joyce Elliott (D) in the state's 2nd House district.

Updated at 3:32 p.m.