Blanche Lincoln Will Face Runoff in Arkansas

Arkansas Sen. Blanche Lincoln has failed to win the majority of votes in the Democratic primary and now faces a 3-week fight with Lt. Gov. Bill Halter for her party's nomination. Lincoln—already one of the most vulnerable incumbents seeking re-election this year— is headed toward a June 8 runoff with Halter, extending what has been one of the most bitter and expensive political fights in Arkansas history.

Lincoln had said she would be ecstatic with either a runoff or a clear-cut victory in today's primary, but Halter has said that forcing her into a prolonged campaign would be close to a win for his bid. Outside groups on both sides, including the AFL-CIO and the US Chamber of Commerce, had pumped millions of dollars into the race. (More Blanche Lincoln stories.)