Halter gains teachers union endorsement

LITTLE ROCK (AP) -- The Arkansas Education Association on Thursday endorsed Bill Halter in the Democratic runoff for lieutenant governor, despite the group's opposition to lotteries to fund education, one of Halter's key proposals.

The group, which has about 18,000 members, voted to recommend Halter in the June 13 runoff against Sen. Tim Wooldridge of Paragould, the group and Halter announced.

"We believe he's going to bring some fresh ideas and a new approach to state government, and we hope to work well with him in the future," AEA President Dan Marzoni said.

Marzoni said the group's support wasn't an endorsement of Halter's push for a lottery. He said the AEA would support a lottery that would add to general revenue, but not one that funds education alone.

Wooldridge said in a prepared statement that he was confused by the endorsement and cited his support for pre-kindergarten funding and additional money for the state's school districts.

"The only thing Bill Halter has done for education is move back to Arkansas a few months ago and make empty promises to teachers with no way to pay for it," Wooldridge said.

Halter, of North Little Rock, responded later: "I trust 18,000 teachers from every part of Arkansas to reach a better judgment about education ideas to help the state than a career politician."

Whoever wins the runoff will face Republican state Sen. Jim Holt of Springdale in the Nov. 7 election.