The Progressive Democrats of North Carolina endorsed Dan Besse.

At a meeting Saturday, the group's membership voted to support the Winston-Salem City Councilman's campaign for lieutenant governor by a 72 percent margin.

"Democrats are looking for the candidate best prepared to speak for equal opportunity, environmental stewardship, and justice for all," Besse said in a statement.

Besse and two Democratic rivals, attorney Hampton Dellinger and Canton Mayor Pat Smathers, answered a questionnaire and appeared at a forum Saturday in Chapel Hill.

State Sen. Walter Dalton did not attend.

Update: The group also stated that it would support either Dellinger or Smathers if either wins the primary. Answers to a 20-question survey by the group are available here.

Second Update: From a press release: "Although only one candidate was endorsed, the PDNC recognizes that we have three excellent, highly qualified Progressive candidates..."

Three Democratic candidates for lieutenant governor will meet.

Winston-Salem City Councilman Dan Besse, attorney Hampton Dellinger and Canton Mayor Pat Smathers will be in a forum Saturday at the annual meeting of the Progressive Democrats of North Carolina.

State Sen. Walter Dalton is not expected to attend.

The meeting will be held at 106 Purefoy Road in Chapel Hill. It also will feature a panel discussion with representatives of N.C. Voters for Clean Elections, People of Faith Against the Death Penalty, the N.C. Housing Coalition and Clean Water North Carolina.

Keynote speakers will be the Rev. William J. Barber, president of the state NAACP, and Marisol Jimenez-McGee, advocacy director for El Pueblo.

After the candidate forum, members of the Progressive Democrats will decide whether to endorse a candidate for lieutenant governor.