So, reading my mail and after a couple of conversations while I was moving around today:

Lt. Walter Dalton is in the race for the Democratic nomination for governor. Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx is looking it over. Erskine Bowles is making calls, testing the waters. A progressive group is pushing hard for Brad Miller, who didn’t rule it out this morning. (And why would he — rule it out, I mean?) State Treasurer Janet Cowell issued a statement that she plans for run for re-election as treasurer and won’t be in the gubernatorial field.

Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton

Heard that former State Rep. Cal Cunningham is looking at another run for Lit. Gov. He lost a primary for U.S. Senatre in 2010 to Elaine Marshall. [Corrected to put Cunningham in the correct prior primary campaign instead of the one my faulty memory had him in.] I expect we’ll see a lot of people looking at the Lt. Gov. race — Deborah Ross, Jennifer Weiss, Grier Martin, other redistricted into legislative seats with each other and/or to Republican-heavy districts they can’t win. Should be wide open.

If you’re thinking of running for governor, my advice: Announce first, figure out how later. The cell towers are burning up.

This is from Walter Dalton an hour ago:

“I believe that our future economy and better jobs depend on our historic commitment to education. After all, education is in North Carolina’s DNA — it’s what sets us apart and it’s what will determine our future. However, you can’t make progress if you are pointed in the wrong direction. Pat McCrory and the Republican leadership are facing the wrong way by cutting teachers, reducing scholarships and abandoning economic development. They are doing lasting damage to our state. I’ve dedicated my career to improving education at all levels and making North Carolina a great place to do business.

“Today, I’m announcing that I am running for Governor. Lucille and I love this state and we understand tough political races. I am the only candidate who has run and won statewide and I look forward to waging an aggressive campaign. Elections are about choices. As a state we must decide the direction in which we will turn. With this campaign, I choose to look ahead to a brighter future. I choose progress. I choose a future where public education is the foundation of our economy.”

www.walterdalton.org