In a move that will certainly give hope to Democrats worried about holding on to the seat of retiring Arkansas Rep. Vic Snyder (D), Lt. Gov. Bill Halter acknowledged Monday that he is now seriously considering running in the Little Rock-based 2nd district this fall.

“I have received many telephone calls from Arkansans offering me encouragement and support since Congressman Vic Snyder announced he would not seek re-election,” Halter said in a statement released through a Virginia-based Democratic consultant who has worked on his previous campaigns. “I am grateful, I am listening and I am now seriously considering all options. These considerations center on where to best fight for better jobs and greater opportunities for Arkansans.”

Democrats in Washington, D.C. were quick to float Halter’s name on Friday just hours after Snyder made his retirement announcement. The lieutenant governor’s high name recognition and state-wide fundraising network should help him to quickly put together a serious campaign and catch up in the money chase to Republican attorney Tim Griffin, who is expected to report over $315,000 in cash on hand when he files his year-end fundraising report.

A House bid by Halter would be doubly good news for Democrats in Arkansas, as he has been rumored to be mulling a primary challenge to Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D), who is facing a tough re-election battle of her own this fall.