Friday's Internet Edition, May 09, 2008.
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“I have spent the last 11 years of my life working for the people of North Carolina,” Dalton said at Rosa Mae’s Cafe, where the meeting was being held. “I’m the only candidate in the race who has worked on statewide policy for the last 11 years.”
Dalton will face former N.C. Deputy Attorney General Hampton Dellinger, Winston-Salem City Councilman Dan Beese and Canton Mayor Pat Smathers for the Democratic nomination for N.C. lieutenant governor in the May 6 primary.
“I am running for lieutenant governor because I want to continue the progress we’re
in education,” said Dalton, who has co-chaired the education committee for four years. “I also want to expand accessibility and affordability of health care and build on our economy.”
On the issue of economy, Dalton, a native and resident of Rutherford County, is familiar with problems caused by the outsourcing of manufacturing jobs.
“Obviously we have been through some very tough times in North Carolina,” he said. “I’m from an area that has lost thousands of textile jobs and seen employment rise to 14 percent.”
The state senator stressed that he was also concerned about loss of furniture manufacturing jobs and said that he has worked to enhance the High Point Furniture Market, which is now competing with one in Las Vegas.
“I have worked to build those jobs of the future,” he continued. “I think North Carolina’s done a good job of that, but we need to do more. The challenge is to get that prosperity throughout all the people in North Carolina and not forget the displaced furniture and textile workers, who are in danger of losing their homes.”
Dalton described his plan to help prevent displaced workers from losing their homes.
“I’ve created something called the Home Protection Pilot, which gives a bridge loan to get somebody by for 18 months, so they can retrain and get back to work,” Dalton explained. “North Carolina has become a leader in a lot of things. We’re on the cutting age of technology.”
Dalton was told an area of concern to Davidson County residents was the possibility of replacing the bridge on Interstate 85 at the Yadkin River, which serves as the border of Davidson and Rowan counties.
“It really leads to the bigger question of transportation needs and infrastructure and how will we fund them in the future,” he responded. “We need a vast overhaul of how we prioritize these issues.”
The candidate suggested that an impartial, independent expert could consult with state officials on such a matter.
“I don’t think you can take toll roads off the table,” Dalton continued. “Whether that fits right here or not remains to be seen, but our transportation needs are so great that we have to look at every funding option available.”
Dalton graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with a degree in business and later got a law degree there. Married to Lucille, his high school sweetheart and mother of his two children, he practiced law in his home county. Since being elected to the state senate in 1996, Dalton has represented Rutherford and Cleveland counties.
“Over time we need to broaden our tax base,” Dalton said. “As our economy changes, we need to look at ways that modernize the tax system.”
Health care in North Carolina is an important issue to Dalton.
“When I came to the Senate, we had no child-health-care program,” he said. “Today, we have over 100,000 children on that. As lieutenant governor, I want to continue to expand it by making insurance more affordable and accessible.”
While it is a major step from representing two counties to taking over the No. 2 position in the state, Dalton feels he has the experience to easily take on the responsibility he is seeking.
“Having served as co-chair of education, I have worked with the public schools, the community colleges and the universities,” Dalton pointed out. “For the last six years, I have co-chaired the budget process, so I have worked with every agency and every senator. Therefore, I’ve gotten to know all of North Carolina. As I travel the state, it’s wonderful to see some of the investments we have made come to fruition.”
Would Dalton like to be governor some day?
“There are two candidates, who are very good friends of mine, running for governor on the Democratic side,” Dalton replied. “I have worked with Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue when she was in the Senate. I have also co-chaired retirements and pensions, so I have worked with State Treasurer Richard Moore on a daily basis. I would look forward to working with either of them as lieutenant governor. Whatever the future holds for me will be looked at at a later time.”
While Dalton has narrowed his public choice for governor down to two candidates, it’s no secret who he wants to be elected lieutenant governor this year.
“I ask for the people to look at my record and look at my candidacy,” said Dalton, whose Web site is www.walterdalton.org. “I ask them to vote for me on May 6.”
Staff Writer Kevin Reid can be reached at 472-9500, ext. 230, or at reid@tvilletimes.com.