(CNN) - Add a primary challenge to Sen. Blanche Lincoln's growing list of political problems.
Arkansas Lt. Governor Bill Halter announced Monday morning that he's launching a Democratic primary challenge to Lincoln, who was already facing a tough re-election battle this year.
"Washington is broken. Bailing out Wall Street, with no strings attached while middle class Arkansas tax payers with the bill. Protecting insurance company profits instead of patients and lowering health costs. Gridlock, bickering and partisan games while unemployment is at a 25 year high. Enough is enough. It is past time to put more Arkansas values in Washington," said Halter in an anti-incumbent message in a video posted on his Web site.
Four progressive organizations, the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, Democracy for America, MoveOn.org, and Daily Kos, released an e-mail pledging to raise half a million dollars over the next week for Halter, who worked in President Bill Clinton's administration. Halter is expected to formally announce his primary bid Tuesday when he files papers of candidacy at the state capitol in Little Rock.
Halter's move means Lincoln will now add a challenge from the left to a number of challenges from the right. Since she teamed up with Vice President Joe Biden last year to launch her re-election bid for a third term, Lincoln has faced criticism from labor unions and progressive groups for what they describe as her move to right in order to save her seat.
Recent polls of Arkansas voters suggest Lincoln's approval rating and favorable ratings have dropped over the past year, a fact that's encouraged eight Republicans to battle for the GOP Senate nomination. A survey last month indicated that many of those Republican challengers were either leading or deadlocked with Lincoln in hypothetical general election matchups.
Update: White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs confirmed Monday afternoon that President Barack Obama will support Lincoln in her primary fight with Halter.
–Follow Paul Steinhauser on Twitter: @psteinhausercnn
From CNN Politics
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Kick her out – she's a Dem in name only. If she doesn't want to vote for things to help the constituents, kick her out.
AsTaLavista Blanche Baby. Now you can come out of the Health Insurance closet and work out in the open for them. We already know you are one of the wholly owned and operated Senators from the Insurance Comapny.
Good. Another blue dog to go. We need true Democrats or Independents. No fear/hate/obstructionist/purity Republicans or Blue Dogs code for Republican.
No more Wars, that's all I can say. What did the Bush Family's War of Terror ever get us? Nothing. Whatever Party toes the line or tries to repair the damage that he caused.
Good challenge. Halter can take it all. And he will help get this country moving again without being held hostage by the Republicans.
Don't waste your time and money. The Republicans will take this seat.
I support Bill Halter's run for Lincoln's senate seat! He seems like he wants to do the right thing! We need health care reform!
Should be an easy win for him.
"Four progressive organizations, the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, Democracy for America, MoveOn.org, and Daily Kos, released an e-mail pledging to raise half a million dollars over the next week..." And we worry about corporations raising money. In my opinion only money raised in Arkansas from the residents of Arkansas should be used to elect their government. Money from organizations headquartered in California or New York or where ever should stay out of Arkansas' business... Sad, really sad.
She's been a real lightweight ever since her first term. On the other hand, having a senator who hasn't done a thing for so long isn't entirely bad. A years vacation from all of them would be good!
What's wrong with a suprise blow?
Election is a means to an end. Any politician who lets election become the end should face a challenge. I believe this is one point where my conservative friends and I would agree.
Good, every seat should have compatition, there shouldn't be any "freebies" for congress.
just sent $100 donation to mr. halter's campaign efforts. ms. lincoln is no big-D or small-d emocrat. good luck sir.
More of the same. We need to elect "Joe the Plumber"...
Halter may or may not win the democratic nomination. Either way the dems lose to a Repub this November in Arkansas.
and this guy thinks he is going to just sweep into DC and cure all the problems? What a joke!!
Thank you Mr. Halter from Fayetteville Arkansas!!!
senator lincoln needs a challenge with her wishy washy stance on everything she needs to go and i hope her challenger isn't owned by the ins. companys,we need democrats with guts not weak spines.
I am so happy to see her get a real challenger, and I hope he wins. It's time to put people in who understand that they are there for us, not insurance companies. One down, three to go... Too bad we have to wait until 2014 for Mathieu, and 2012 for Nelson and Lieberman.
Oh, she's going, gone! You can take that to the bank.
Blanche Lincoln doesn't stand a chance against Bill Halter.
Kinda like electing a fox to watch the hen house.
Once again. A "new kind of Republican". Give me a break. How many people are going to fall for this one again?
How likely is it that a candidate to the left of Lincoln will prevail in the general election? Not very.
Fantastic! He sounds like a vast improvement.