Poll: Halter Narrowly Leads Lincoln

A new Research 2000 poll shows Lt. Gov. Bill Halter (D) edging Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D) 49% to 45% four days before the runoff election. So far, no other pollsters have tested the race since the initial May 18 primary.

Halter, who is running to Lincoln's left, has been benefiting from a large amount of donations from unions and other outside groups. They have also been running negative ads against Lincoln on their own.

While Lincoln can boast the support of Bill Clinton, who stumped for her earlier this week, Halter's supporters seem more motivated to go out and vote again.

The winner of the runoff will be the underdog against Rep. John Boozman (R) in the general election. Polls have shown that Halter would be the stronger general election candidate and has more room to define himself to Arkansas voters, most of whom already have formed an opinion about Lincoln.