Washington is not working for Arkansas families. Part of the reason is that so many people in Washington have just lost touch with the people they represent.  I’ll be accountable to folks here in Arkansas.  Find out more.

And here’s how.

I will oppose automatic pay raises for Congress. I believe that it’s important for people to be paid for performance and when economic times are tough our elected officials should share the burden.

I will hold town halls in all 75 counties every year. Arkansans will know that they can talk to me directly in their own county without an appointment and without making a campaign contribution.

My schedule will be publicly available online. Any Arkansan can know who I’m meeting with when legislation affecting middle class Arkansas families is being developed.

I will never become a lobbyist. The revolving door used by lobbyists and legislators only serves to fill the pockets of special interests while ignoring the needs of Arkansas families.

If you agree with these commitments, please sign our petition in support.

Sincerely,

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It's now been one week since I announced my campaign for the U.S. Senate. Thank you for all your support so far. The calls, the emails, the letters, mean so much to me personally.

Running for the U.S. Senate is a step I didn't take lightly.  I listened to families from across the state who shared their hopes and frustrations with me. Washington isn't working for them. I hope to change that.

We took some video on the day I officially filed, and I wanted to share with you this look inside our campaign. Hope you like it.

Watch the video here.

I wanted you to have a sneak peek at our new TV ad. It will be on the air starting tonight.

The primary is now 74 days away, so every day counts. If you like this ad, please make a donation today.

Watch my second ad and donate to help put it on TV.

With great thanks,


P.S. Your support helps us reach more undecided voters and get our message out. Please contribute today.

Today I filed for the United States Senate. Arkansas families deserve a change.  And it's up to us to provide it.

Television is the fastest way to reach undecided voters here, and the primary is just 77 days away. I need your help to get our message out.

Watch my first ad and donate to help put it on TV.

This ad stars a familiar friend, my high school football coach. Hope you enjoy it.

Sincerely,


P.S. Your support will help me put this ad on the air here as soon as tonight. Please contribute today.

I wanted you to know the news first: I'm running for the United States Senate.

You can find out more by watching the announcement video I just released, but the reason is pretty simple.

Washington is no longer on the side of Arkansas families. And it's up to us to fix it.

Change is still possible. We can get America back to work, creating jobs. We can fix our broken health care system. And we can start helping Main Street instead of Wall Street.

Now I need your help. Watch the video and join our campaign.

Sincerely,

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Lance Turner posts:

Not to be overly effusive or anything, but damned if the first going-on-48-hours of Bill Halter’s U.S. Senate candidacy hasn’t been downright flawless.

Let’s consider the two solid days of media coverage he’s getting. Let’s consider that slick TV ad he unveils tonight. 

Read the whole post here.

Statement of Lieutenant Governor Bill Halter on Legislative Approval Of House and Senate Bills Setting Lottery-Funded Scholarship Awards

LITTLE ROCK (February 24, 2010) -- The approval today of legislation setting lottery-funded scholarships awards of $5,000 for four-year college students and $2,500 for two-year students is the latest in a series of victories for Arkansas students and families.

The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery is performing at a level that is exceeding all expectations. Net lottery proceeds for college scholarships are projected to reach $112 million in the first 12 months. Tens of millions of Arkansas dollars previously spent playing lottery games in five bordering states are now being invested in higher education here at home.

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(The following is a news release from the National Association of Free Clinics)

Seven people had such serious conditions that physicians decided they should be taken immediately by ambulances to local hospital emergency departments. Of those, five were admitted to hospitals for cardiac reasons, and two of them had had recent hearts attacks of which they were unaware.

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Highlights Fighting Special Interests and Scholarship Lottery

For Immediate Release
Thursday, March 11, 2010

Little Rock – Today the Bill Halter for U.S. Senate Campaign released its first radio spots highlighting Lt. Governor Halter’s championing of the Scholarship Lottery and his history working for Arkansas families.
 
The ads feature State Representative Otis Davis (D-Earle) and Jefferson County Justice of the Peace Jimmy Lee Fisher, Sr. (D-Pine Bluff), and can be heard here: http://www.billhalter.com/radio
 
In one ad, Representative Davis talks about Halter’s championing of the Scholarship Lottery:
 
“My friend Lt. Governor Bill Halter knew too many Arkansans couldn’t afford college. So he worked hard to pass the scholarship lottery in the legislature. And when the insiders kept blocking our way, he took it directly to the people.  This year, we will help 28,000 families pay for college -- without raising taxes.  That will make a real difference for a lot of people I know. Bill Halter’s never been afraid to take on a tough fight.” – quote from Rep. Otis Davis
 
In the second ad, Justice of the Peace Fisher highlights Halter’s record of fighting special interests attempts to privatize Social Security when he led the Social Security Administration:
 
“I’m supporting Bill Halter for the Senate because he’ll take on the special interests. He’s done it before.  As a leader of Social Security, Bill Halter successfully fought the Republican privatization scheme to let Wall Street gamble with our retirement.” – quote from JP Fisher
 
The radio ads begin Thursday and will air on various radio stations across the state.

“Washington is not working for Arkansas families…I’ll be accountable to folks here in Arkansas.”

Little Rock – Today Lieutenant Governor Bill Halter announced four more ways he’ll be more accountable to Arkansans as a United States Senator.

Halter said, “Washington is not working for Arkansas families —and part of the reason is that so many people in Washington have just lost touch with the people they represent.  I’ll be accountable to folks here in Arkansas.”

• Oppose Automatic Pay Raises

“I believe that it’s important for people to be paid for performance and when economic times are tough our elected officials should share the burden.”

Halter criticized the current congressional pay law that awards members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the United States Senate an automatic cost of living adjustment each year unless Congress passes legislation rejecting the pay raise for the year.

“Few folks in Arkansas get an automatic pay raise, especially in today’s economy. Congress shouldn’t be any different – especially given the terrible job they’ve done controlling the budget deficit. I will oppose any pay raise as long as there is a federal budget deficit. And if others in Congress let a pay raise go into effect, I’ll donate my increase to charity.”

Halter has completed his pledge from last year to donate his Lieutenant Governor pay increase to Arkansas charities that are helping Arkansas families in these tough economic times.

• Hold Town Halls in all 75 Counties Every Year

”I’ll hold town halls in all 75 counties every year so all Arkansans will have a chance to talk with me in person and to let me know their concerns. Arkansans will know that they can talk to me directly in their own county without an appointment and without making a campaign contribution,” said Halter.  “My priority is to be accessible to all Arkansans rather than powerful insiders and lobbyists. “

• Schedule Publicly Available Online

“To improve accountability and bolster public confidence, I’ll make my schedule publicly available online so any Arkansan can know who I’m meeting with when legislation affecting middle class Arkansas families is being developed.”

• Never Become a Lobbyist

Halter concluded by pledging to, “never become a lobbyist. The revolving door used by lobbyists and legislators only serves to fill the pockets of special interests while ignoring the needs of Arkansas families.”

“During my career I’ve worked in both the private sector and public service.  After completing a stint in public service, I have never become a lobbyist and I never will.  When so many public officials move from their positions directly into lobbyist positions, it undermines public confidence in our government.”

“Now more than ever Arkansans needs a United States Senator that they know is on their side and not on the side of special interests and insiders.  Bill Halter has a record of being unafraid to take on insiders and special interests on behalf of Arkansans,” concluded Halter spokesman Bud Jackson.

“I was fortunate enough to earn a scholarship…that’s why I fought so hard for the scholarship lottery.”

Friday, March 5, 2010
For immediate release

This afternoon the Bill Halter for U.S. Senate campaign released its second television commercial, “Grocery”.  The ad, set in a local grocery store parking lot, highlights Bill Halter’s experience of earning a college scholarship by bagging groceries in high school.  In the ad, Halter also recounts his work to protect Social Security from privatization and his fight to create a scholarship lottery in Arkansas.

“I worked jobs all through high school and college to pay for school,” said Halter.  “I was fortunate enough to earn a scholarship sponsored by the United Food and Commercial Workers union when I bagged groceries at Kroger’s in North Little Rock.  That scholarship made a real difference to me and that’s why I felt so deeply that we needed a scholarship lottery here in Arkansas.”

The ad will be included in Halter’s statewide television buy.


Ad copy:

Ann:

Thank you Bill, for helping me.

Halter:

Bagging groceries in high school helped me earn a college scholarship.

And taught me a lot about helping others.

As a leader of Social Security, I stood up for seniors and fought Wall Street’s privatization schemes.

And when politicians wouldn’t pass a scholarship lottery, I took it straight to the people.

Now we’re helping over 28,000 families pay for college – without raising taxes.

Washington’s not working for Arkansas families, but it ought to.

Ann:

Thanks Bill.

Halter:

I’m Bill Halter and I approve this message.

“I am honored to have support from these important local leaders.”

Friday, March 5, 2010
For immediate release

This morning eleven key African American leaders from around Arkansas announced their support of Lieutenant Governor Bill Halter and his run for the United States Senate.  Endorsers include State Representative Otis Davis of Earle in Crittenden County, Justice of the Peace Edward Carter of Helena-West Helena in Phillips County, Justice of the Peace Jimmy Fisher Sr. of Pine Bluff, Alderman Bruce Hudson of Helena-West Helena, Justice of the Peace Edward Spears of Pine Bluff in Jefferson County, Mayor Lionel Johnson of Hampton, Mayor Leroy Wright of Anthonyville in Crittenden County, Mayor Abron Pitts of Widener in St. Francis County, Mayor Floyd Gray of Dermott in Drew County, Mayor Ronnie Conley of Cotton Plant, and Vice Mayor David “DJ” Johnson of Hope in Hempstead County.

“I am grateful for these support of these fine leaders,” said Halter, “It is time that Washington got back to working for the towns they represent here in Arkansas, instead of Wall Street.”

 “I support Bill Halter because he gets things done,” said Justice of the Peace Jimmy Fisher Sr. “It seems that all Washington politicians do is talk. If we elect Bill, there’s no doubt he’ll fight for all of our families.”

Mayor Ronnie Conley of Cotton Plant said, “Bill Halter has earned my support. He saw that too many people couldn’t afford college and he helped fix the problem. He came up with the scholarship lottery and worked closely with us to get it passed.” Conley continued, “Now thousands more Arkansas families can afford higher education. Name me one other politician who has put five thousand dollars back in the pockets of regular Arkansas families.  You can’t.”

Alderman Bruce Hudson of Helena-West Helena focused on health care as his reason for supporting Halter “There is only one person in the race for U. S. Senate who is willing to make sure we all have access to affordable healthcare and that is Lt. Governor Bill Halter. Bill is a get it done kind of guy. He brought a health clinic to Little Rock to help the uninsured and under-insured. We can count on him to fight for real health care reform in the Senate.”

Justice of the Peace Edward Carter of Helena recalled Halter’s work on Social Security, “Bill Halter fought against George Bush’s dangerous plans to privatize Social Security. Those are the priorities he will take to the Senate.”

“I am honored to receive the endorsement of the working men and women of the Arkansas AFL-CIO.  We share a common belief that Washington is too focused on what is best for Wall Street and not Main Street.   

In 2007, when we started the campaign for the Scholarship Lottery, the AFL-CIO was the very first organization to endorse our proposal to provide scholarships to all Arkansas students who qualify.   Now any graduating high school senior with a 2.5 GPA can get a $5,000 per year scholarship to attend an Arkansas college or university.  

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."