The primary story on primaries thus far in 2010 has been the possibility of challenges within the Republican Party as so-called Tea Party candidates consider challenges from the right to sitting Republican legislators. But in Arkansas, a centrist Democrat is now facing a challenge from the left.
Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) is already thought to be in for enough trouble in 2010 just fending off the November challenge from the Republicans. Now she has an experienced political challenge before that from within her own party in the person of Lieutenant Governor Bill Halter.
According to Politico, Lincoln is the third Senate Democrat facing a significant primary challenge, joining Arlen Specter (D-PA) and Michael Bennett (D-CO).
Arkansas Republicans have some choices to make on their side, but are thought to have a number of candidates with the potential to take the seat away from the Democrats.
RBR-TVBR observation: Serious primaries are not good for incumbents, and they often can damage the party of the incumbent. But for broadcasters, it creates an additional heavy political advertising period.
