Ark AFL-CIO endorses Halter in Dem Lt Gov runoff

By ANDREW DeMILLO
Associated Press Writer

LITTLE ROCK (AP) -- Arkansas' largest labor organization on Friday endorsed former Clinton administration official Bill Halter in the Democratic runoff for lieutenant governor.

Arkansas AFL-CIO president Alan Hughes said the union's 25-member executive board voted unanimously on Thursday to support Halter in the June 13 runoff against Sen. Tim Wooldridge of Paragould. The winner of the runoff faces Republican Sen. Jim Holt of Springdale in the Nov. 7 general election.

"These are folks who can provide literally thousands of ground troops and field organization and volunteer effort and support," Halter said in a news conference with labor leaders at his campaign headquarters in Little Rock. "I am deeply deeply grateful for it."

Wooldridge said he respected the labor group, but said he didn't believe their support of Halter would harm his chances in the runoff.

"I value Arkansas workers and I don't have to have an endorsement of the AFL-CIO to prove that," Wooldridge said. "I don't have to have an endorsement of them to be mindful of Arkansas workers."

Hughes said the union, which has about 35,000 members in the state, would help Halter in his campaign over the next three weeks.

"We'll be working our plant gates and our job sites," Hughes said. "We'll be working this thing hard. Know with our numbers labor carries a big voice in this runoff."

Halter and Wooldridge secured spots in the runoff Tuesday, beating former state Rep. Mike Hathorn of Huntsville and Rep. Jay Martin of North Little Rock in the primary.

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