HAMPTON DELLINGER TO RUN FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

Former Top Official in Governor's Office; Supporters Include Durham Mayor Bill Bell, Charlotte Mayor Pro Tem Susan Burges, Former Governor's Western Office Director Jerry Sutton, and Coastal Environmentalist Joan Weld

Hampton Dellinger, a former top official in the Governor's Office and the state Department of Justice, is seeking the Democratic nomination for Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina.

"Over the past forty years – my lifetime – North Carolina has made remarkable advances," Dellinger said, "but there is more, much more, we need to do."  Dellinger's policy proposals include an Education Bill of Rights and Responsibilities for the 21st Century, a health care plan that puts patients first, greater use of technology in law enforcement, and a deeper commitment to mass transit and sustainable energy.

Dellinger kicked off his campaign by posting ads on media web sites statewide immediately after polls closed for the 2006 mid-term elections. As NC Spin reported: "One interesting note [to the '06 elections] was that anyone visiting major web sites seeking election returns…also saw a big banner ad for Hampton Dellinger, former Deputy AG andEasley legal counsel, announcing his campaign for Lieutenant Governor in '08. Good strategy."

Dellinger's decision came after spending several months discussing his interest in the Lieutenant Governor's race with Democrats across the state including at the annual Vance-Aycock Weekend in Asheville and at party events in Lumberton, Wilmington, Charlotte, and in the Triangle.

Dellinger also emailed a letter to 1,500 active Democrats inviting their thoughts on whether he should run for Lieutenant Governor.

"The encouragement I received to run for Lieutenant Governor was tremendous, and it convinced me I can run and win. Statewide campaigns are hard. I would never undertake one lightly or without the encouragement of so many North Carolinians," said Dellinger.

As part of his announcement, Dellinger released a 7 minute, 30 second video explaining his background and what his priorities would be as Lieutenant Governor.  He also provided a written statement detailing why he is running for Lieutenant Governor. 

“In my lifetime, North Carolina has made remarkable advances but there is more -- much more -- we need to do.  Over the past forty years, progressive leadership in government, education, and the private sector -- buoyed by the hard work, good will and tax support of millions of North Carolinians -- has resulted in a more equal society, a more diverse economy, and pivotal programs for children such as universal kindergarten, Smart Start, and More at Four.  And yet serious divides remain that must be bridged,” Dellinger said.

Dellinger’s proposals include raising the compulsory school age to 17 or older, freeing counties from Medicaid’s financial burdens, increasing the use of advanced technologies in law enforcement, expanding health insurance risk pools, and making a deeper commitment to mass transit and sustainable energy. As Lieutenant Governor, Dellinger also pledges to work on eliminating continuing racial disparities in schools, health outcomes, and our criminal justice system, and ensure that affordable, comprehensive, and high-quality health care for all North Carolinians is never held hostage by politics.

Hampton Dellinger served as Chief Legal Counsel to Gov. Mike Easley from 2001-03, and before that as Special Counsel and a Deputy Attorney General in the North Carolina Department of Justice.  Along with former Lieutenant Governor and four-term Governor Jim Hunt, Dellinger is now a partner at the Raleigh law firm Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice.  Dellinger, who turns 40 in April, lives in Durham with his wife Jolynn and their two children, Austen Grace and Jackson.

[Click here for more information about Hampton Dellinger.]