State Sen. Walter Dalton will join the Asheville debate.

Previously, the candidate for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor had said he would join in debates, but not specifically said whether or not he would be at one sponsored on Jan. 19 by the N.C. Federation of College Democrats.

He also committed to a Jan. 24 debate in Fayetteville.

The College Democrats have planned four other debates, and one of Dalton's rivals has called for other debates to be sponsored by other groups as well.

The biggest argument at the Democratic lieutenant governor debates may be how many to hold—and who will show up.

Hampton Dellinger told the Asheville Citizen-Times that he will definitely attend the UNC-Asheville debate sponsored by the N.C. Federation of College Democrats, and he will appear in "at least six debates" during the campaign.

But he said he wants to make sure other sponsors aren't left out. 

He then wrote an open letter to state Sen. Walter Dalton, who has said he'll attend some debates.

In the letter, he calls for two debates on "experience" and "the state budget," a "live-blogging debate on the liberal BlueNC Web site, and debates sponsored by the Wake County Democratic Party, a historically black college and a consortium of mental health groups.

For those keeping track at home, that would make 10 debates total with some or all of the candidates attending.

A series of debates for the Democratic candidates for lieutenant governor are set.

The N.C. Federation of College Democrats has organized six debates across the state and invited all four primary candidates.

For now, Canton Mayor Pat Smathers and Winston-Salem City Councilman Dan Besse have committed to the schedule. Raleigh attorney Hampton Dellinger has said he wants to debate, while state Sen. Walter Dalton is not expected to attend.

The debates will be held on Jan. 19 at UNC-Asheville, on Jan.2 4 at Fayetteville State University, on Feb. 7 at Salem College in Winston-Salem, on Feb. 21 at a college in Raleigh, on March 1 at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte and on March 20 at Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington.

College Democrats may host the lieutenant governor debates. 

The N.C. Federation of College Democrats has offered to host the six debates proposed by Canton Mayor Pat Smathers and agreed to by Winston-Salem City Councilman Dan Besse and attorney Hampton Dellinger.

"The debates will be hosted at college campuses in the cities agreed to by the campaigns," writes Vice President Doug Massengill. "The rules of debate as well as the moderator(s) will be agreed to by the campaigns"

Still no word from state Sen. Walter Dalton.