Walter H. Dalton

Dalton was born in Rutherfordton, Rutherford County, North Carolina to Charles Dalton, a former state senator, and Amanda Dalton, a schoolteacher. He earned a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1971, and earned a J.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law in 1975.

Dalton worked in the Audit Department of Union Trust Company between 1971 and 1972. He clerked for Woodrow W. Jones, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, between 1975 and 1977. He worked for many years as an attorney based in Rutherfordton, North Carolina. He joined the law firm of Hamrick, Bowen, Nanney & Dalton, LLP in 1977 and left in 2000.[http://www.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/10233/walter-dalton Lieutenant Governor Walter Dalton - Biography - Project Vote Smart]

File:2012 DNC day 3 Walter Dalton (7959886960) (cropped1).jpg]]

Dalton represented constituents in Cleveland and Rutherford counties in the North Carolina General Assembly. His district was originally the 37th Senate district, but it was renumbered as the 46th in the redistricting following the 2000 United States Census.

Dalton's legislative career began in 1996 when he challenged freshman incumbent Republican state senator Dennis Davis. The general election was close, with Dalton being declared the winner by a margin of 50.38%–49.62%, after a recount.{{cite news|title=Recount confirms senate race|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=hiRfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ylYMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4129,5906898&dq=walter+dalton+dennis+davis&hl=en|access-date=June 4, 2012|newspaper=The Robesonian|date=November 20, 1996|agency=AP}}{{cite web|title=NC General Election Results 1996|url=ftp://www.app.sboe.state.nc.us/data/ElectResults/1996_11_05/19961105_results_NC_Senate.pdf|publisher=NC State Board of Elections|access-date=June 4, 2012}}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Davis tried to win back the seat in 1998, but Dalton won by a larger margin, 54.86%–45.14%.{{cite web|title=NC General Election Results 1998|url=ftp://www.app.sboe.state.nc.us/data/ElectResults/1998_11_03/19981103_results_NC_Senate_17.pdf|publisher=NC State Board of Elections|access-date=June 4, 2012}}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} In 2000, he defeated Scott Neisler, 55%–45%.ftp://www.app.sboe.state.nc.us/data/ElectResults/2000_11_07/20001107_results_NC_Senate_37.pdf{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} In 2002, he defeated Republican nominee John Weatherly, 52%–45%.[http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=24621 Our Campaigns - NC State Senate 46 Race - Nov 05, 2002] In 2004, he defeated Republican nominee Jim Testa, 53%–47%.[http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=84979 Our Campaigns - NC State Senate 46 Race - Nov 02, 2004] In 2006, he defeated Republican nominee Wes Westmoreland, 54%–46%.[http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=287707 Our Campaigns - NC State Senate 46 Race - Nov 07, 2006]

In the State Senate, Dalton served as co-chair of the Senate Education Committee and co-chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

During his time as a state senator, Dalton focused on improving education. Dalton worked to increase teacher pay while also reducing class sizes.{{cite news|last=Robertson|first=Gary|title=Education fares well in new budget|newspaper=The Herald Sun|date=September 24, 2001}} In 2003, Dalton sponsored the Innovative Education Initiatives Act, establishing North Carolina’s award-winning network of Early College High Schools.{{cite news|last=Way|first=Dan E.|title=Dalton: Education is our future|newspaper=The Chapel Hill Herald|date=March 16, 2011}} The Early Colleges are a system of high schools partnered with institutions of higher learning that allow students to graduate with both a high school diploma and either an associate degree or college credit in five years. He also supported increasing funding for the state’s public university and community college systems during his tenure.{{cite news|last=Robertson|first=Gary|title=Dalton begins NC gov campaign talking progress|newspaper=Associated Press|date=February 12, 2012}}

As a state senator, Dalton developed a reputation as a pro-business Democrat. He promoted incentives to help attract new businesses to North Carolina and relief to small business owners.{{cite news|last=Robertson|first=Gary|title=N.C. legislative panel recommends more business incentives|newspaper=Associated Press|date=April 29, 2004}}

In 2006, Dalton helped establish Chimney Rock State Park.{{cite news|last=Whitmire|first=Tim|title=State offered $20 million for Chimney Rock|newspaper=Associated Press|date=July 19, 2006}}

• Senate Education Committee (Co-Chairman)[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dS9VAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zj0NAAAAIBAJ&pg=4855,4005432&dq=north+carolina+walter+dalton&hl=en The Robesonian - Google News Archive Search]
• Senate Appropriations Committee (Co-Chairman)[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kxhPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=pR8EAAAAIBAJ&pg=4948,2615165&dq=north+carolina+committee+walter-dalton+-death&hl=en Star-News - Google News Archive Search]

{{Main|2008 North Carolina lieutenant gubernatorial election}}

In 2007, Dalton announced that he would seek the Democratic nomination for Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina in 2008.{{cite web |url=http://www.newsobserver.com/114/story/552645.html |title=Dalton in race for lieutenant governor |author=Rob Christensen |publisher=The News & Observer |date=2007-03-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080918132401/http://www.newsobserver.com/114/story/552645.html |archive-date=2008-09-18 }} He won the Democratic primary on May 6, 2008, defeating Hampton Dellinger, Patrick Smathers, and Dan Besse.{{cite web |url=http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/1063732.html |publisher=The News & Observer |title=Dalton vs. Pittenger in Nov. |date=2008-03-07 |author=Don Kane |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081103060735/http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/1063732.html |archive-date=2008-11-03 }} He won the general election on November 4, 2008 against the Republican nominee, former state senator Robert Pittenger.

Dalton was sworn in on January 10, 2009.{{cite news| last1 = Bonner| first1 = Lynn| last2 = Niolet| first2 = Benjamin| title = Council of State also sworn in today: These four among those who will help the new governor steer the ship of state| newspaper = The News & Observer| date = January 10, 2009}} He served as the chairman of the Joining Our Businesses and Schools (JOBS) Commission. The commission included 20 business and education leaders. Through his work on the JOBS Commission, Dalton led a bipartisan effort to strengthen the relationship between private businesses and schools to help improve job training.{{cite news|last=Robertson|first=Gary|title=NC's Dalton leads high school curricula panel|newspaper=Associated Press|date=October 12, 2009}}

Dalton was appointed Chairman of the North Carolina Logistics Task Force in December 2009.{{cite news|title=Dalton named chairman of NC logistics task force|newspaper=Associated Press|date=December 8, 2009}}

Dalton helped establish a small business assistance fund to help businesses across the state secure the credit necessary to expand and create jobs.{{cite news|title=Tuesday at the North Carolina General Assembly|newspaper=Associated Press|date=April 14, 2009}}

{{Main|2012 North Carolina gubernatorial election}}

After first-term Governor Beverly Perdue announced that she would not seek a second term in 2012, Dalton announced that he would be a candidate for governor. Ahead of the May 8 Democratic primary, Dalton was endorsed by The Charlotte Observer, which described him as "well-versed in both the legislative and executive branches and in the crucial issues facing the state" and as "battle-tested," making him the strongest general election candidate.[http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/04/24/3195684/dalton-mccrory-the-strongest-candidates.html Charlotte Observer editorial] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120731194748/http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/04/24/3195684/dalton-mccrory-the-strongest-candidates.html |date=2012-07-31 }} The Winston-Salem Journal also endorsed Dalton, writing that he had "considerable success as a legislator and played a major role in launching North Carolina's successful Early College program."[https://archive.today/20130127013147/http://www2.journalnow.com/news/opinion/2012/apr/15/wsopin01-editorial-mccrory-dalton-are-best-choices-ar-2160715/ Winston-Salem Journal editorial] Dalton won the May 8 primary, defeating former U.S. Congressman Bob Etheridge and State Representative Bill Faison 46%–38%–6%.[http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/05/09/3227736/dalton-to-face-mccrory-for-governor.html Charlotte Observer: Dalton to face McCrory for governor] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120723164950/http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/05/09/3227736/dalton-to-face-mccrory-for-governor.html |date=2012-07-23 }}

During the general election, polls gave McCrory anywhere from a two to 14-point advantage.

Rasmussen Reports released a poll August 4{{Cite web|url=http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2012/election_2012_governor_elections/north_carolina/election_2012_north_carolina_governor|title = Election 2012: North Carolina Governor}} showing Dalton trailing McCrory by 5 points. In first quarter campaign finance reports, Dalton reported raising about $1 million less than McCrory's campaign.[https://archive.today/20121224140046/http://www.app.sboe.state.nc.us/webapps/cf_rpt_search_org/cf_report_detail.aspx?RID=115114&TP=SUM North Carolina Board of Elections 1Q Summary Report McCrory][http://www.app.sboe.state.nc.us/webapps/cf_rpt_search_org/cf_report_detail.aspx?RID=115278&TP=SUM North Carolina Board of Elections 1Q Summary Report Dalton] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20121224105044/http://www.app.sboe.state.nc.us/webapps/cf_rpt_search_org/cf_report_detail.aspx?RID=115278&TP=SUM |date=2012-12-24 }} Dalton also reported having $670,356.14 cash on hand at the end of the reporting period on April 21. McCrory reported having $3.1 million.

File:1Q12 Fundraising NC Gubernatorial.jpg

In October 2012, the (Raleigh) News and Observer endorsed Dalton for the general election, writing that "on the merits of experience, knowledge, vision and judgment, [Dalton] is extraordinarily well equipped to give North Carolina the executive leadership it needs."[http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/10/24/2436113/walter-daltons-edge.html Walter Dalton's edge] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121028000237/http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/10/24/2436113/walter-daltons-edge.html |date=2012-10-28 }} In 2008, the newspaper had endorsed McCrory.

{{Election box begin | title=North Carolina gubernatorial election, 2012}}{{Cite web |url= http://www.ncsbe.gov/content.aspx?id=69 |title= Election Results |publisher= North Carolina State Board of Elections |access-date= November 8, 2012 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121107181720/http://www.ncsbe.gov/content.aspx?id=69 |archive-date= November 7, 2012 }}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Republican Party (US)

|candidate = Pat McCrory

|votes = 2,447,988

|percentage = 54.70%

|change = +7.82%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Democratic Party (US)

|candidate = Walter H. Dalton

|votes = 1,931,750

|percentage = 43.17%

|change = -7.10%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Libertarian Party (US)

|candidate = Barbara Howe

|votes = 95,154

|percentage = 2.13%

|change = -0.72%

}}

{{Election box margin of victory

|votes = 516,238

|percentage = 11.54%

|change = +8.14%

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 4,474,892

|percentage = 67.30%

|change = -0.84%

}}

{{Election box gain with party link|

|winner = Republican Party (US)

|loser = Democratic Party (US)

|swing =

}}

{{Election box end}}

Following the end of his term as lieutenant governor, Dalton was hired by Gardner-Webb University to teach a class on Southern politics and to serve as a special counsel to the university's president.[http://www.shelbystar.com/news/local/dalton-to-teach-politics-counsel-president-at-gwu-1.73508 Shelby Star] Several months later, he was selected as president of Isothermal Community College, where he had once served as board of trustees chairman.[https://web.archive.org/web/20130318003234/http://www.wral.com/dalton-picked-as-nc-community-college-president/12227059/ WRAL.com: Dalton picked as NC community college president]{{cite web |url=https://www.isothermal.edu/presidential-search/ |title=Presidential Search |work=Isothermal Community College |access-date=2019-03-30}}

Dalton's father, Charles, was also a North Carolina state senator, who died when Walter was 8 years old. His elder sister, Laura, helped their mother, Amanda, raise young Walter. She later became active in Republican politics and married Charles Neely, a Republican who served in the state legislature and unsuccessfully ran for governor in 2000.[http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/06/04/2109579/dalton-sister-make-odd-political.html News & Observer: Dalton, sister make odd political couple] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120605204115/http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/06/04/2109579/dalton-sister-make-odd-political.html |date=2012-06-05 }}

Dalton's wife, Lucille, is a former teacher and former local school board member. Walter and Lucille Dalton are the parents of two children, Brian and Elizabeth.[http://www.walterdalton.org/about13.html Campaign site: Meet Walter Dalton] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080420200609/http://www.walterdalton.org/about13.html |date=2008-04-20 }}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Walter_H._Dalton Profile] at Ballotpedia
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070922233843/http://projects.newsobserver.com/profiles/walter_dalton News & Observer profile]
• [https://archive.today/20130119041146/http://www.charlotteobserver.com/opinion/story/233642.html Charlotte Observer endorses Dalton]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20081024220823/http://www.newsobserver.com/opinion/editorials/story/1266724.html News & Observer endorses Dalton]
• [http://www.ncdp.org/ North Carolina Democratic Party]

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Dalton, Walter H.}}

Category:1949 births

Category:Lieutenant governors of North Carolina

Category:Living people

Category:North Carolina lawyers

Category:Democratic Party North Carolina state senators

Category:People from Rutherfordton, North Carolina

Category:UNC Kenan–Flagler Business School alumni

Category:University of North Carolina School of Law alumni

Category:21st-century members of the North Carolina General Assembly