Francis DeLuca says the Queen City Curse is not the only one.

Although much has been made of the failed attempts of Charlotte mayors to win statewide office, the executive director of the Civitas Institute points out that a number of lieutenant governors have lost their bids for governor.

1976 - Lt. Gov. Jim Hunt won the general election for governor
1984 - Lt. Gov. Jimmy Green lost the Democratic Primary
1988 - Lt. Gov. Bob Jordan lost the general election
1992 - Lt. Gov. Jim Gardner lost the general election
2000 - Lt. Gov. Dennis Wicker lost the Democratic Primary
2008 - Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue won the Democratic Primary but is in a close general election

He also notes that while none of the Charlotte politicians won a statewide election, every lieutenant governor won at least won general election.

"Looking at the inability of seasoned statewide politicians to move up to the Governor's mansion leads me to only one conclusion — there is a curse on Lieutenant Governors who try and become governor," he writes.

Hillary Clinton's campaign released the names of its North Carolina steering committee, ranging from poet Maya Angelou to Hugh Shelton, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The list was announced at a teleconference held by Tom Hendrickson, a former state Democratic chariman; former Ambassador Jeanette Hyde, and the Rev. Brenda Stevenson of Charlotte.

"I know Hillary has the diplomatic skills," said Hyde, who was appointed ambassador to Barbados by President Clinton. "She has the knowledge. She has traveled around the world. I beleive she can help mend some of the problems we have in the world."

The endorsements include many people long associated with the moderate, pro-business wing of the state Democratic Party and with Govs. Jim Hunt and Terry Sanford.

Clarification: Hunt is not on the steering committee, but some of his associates are.

More names after the jump.

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David Young, a Democratic candidate for treasurer, raised more than $60,000 at fundraiser Wednesday at the home of former Ambassador Jeanette and Wallace Hyde in Raleigh.

Among those who attended were Wake County Commissioner Betty Lou Ward, philanthropist Ann Goodnight; Blue Cross/Blue Shield CEO Bob Greczyn; former Lt. Gov. Bob Jordan; former Glaxo chairman Charlie Sanders; former state Democratic chair Wayne McDevitt; former Texas oilman Walter Davis, and Raleigh real estate executives Steve Stroud and Roddy Jones.

Young, a Buncombe County commissioner, raised the money in the home town of two his opponents — Raleigh attorney Michael Weisel and state Sen. Janet Cowell. They are seeking to succeed incumbent Richard Moore, who is running for governor.

State Sen. Walter Dalton raised more than $100,000 in Raleigh Wednesday night in his race for lieutenant governor.

The event, held at the home of Wallace and Jeanette Hyde, a former U.S. ambassador, showed Dalton's support among the Democratic establishment, Rob Christensen reports.

The event included glowing comment from Senate boss Marc Basnight, who called Dalton "a forward thinking leader."

Among the sponsors were Sen. Vernon Malone, Progress Energy CEO Bill Johnson, Red Hat CEO Matthew Szulik, BlueCross/BlueShield CEO Bob Greczyn, former Lt. Gov. Bob Jordan, UNC benefactor Walter Davis, former N&O publisher Frank Daniels Jr., former Glaxo CEOs Bob Ingram and Charlie Sanders, and former state Democratic chairs Tom Hendrickson and Betty McCain and Barbara Allen.

The other Democrats running for lieutenant governor are Durham lawyer Hampton Dellinger, Winston-Salem Councilman Dan Besse, and Canton Mayor Pat Smathers.