With Dustin McDaniel’s withdrawal from the 2014 race for governor not yet fully official, this e-mail arrives from Bud Jackson, political operative for Bill Halter:

Little Rock – Former lieutenant governor Bill Halter will file paperwork next week to establish a campaign committee as the necessary first administrative step towards a campaign for governor in 2014. A formal announcement will be declared at a later date.

“Over the holidays my family and I talked about the demands a campaign for governor would place on us,” said Halter. “We decided as a family that we are up for the challenge. That’s why next week I will take the first necessary step towards running for governor in 2014.”

“During my campaign for governor I will put forward my plans and ideas to move Arkansas towards an even brighter future,” said Halter.