Walter Dalton received the endorsements of several black leaders.

The candidate for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor was endorsed by the George C. Simkins Political Action Committee, a major African-American PAC in Greensboro.

He also been endorsed by former U.S. Rep. Eva Clayton, former state Auditor Ralph Campbell and the entire state Senate Black Caucus: Sens. Charlie Dannelly, Katie Dorsett, Tony Foriest, Malcolm Graham, Ed Jones, Vern Malone, Floyd McKissick and Larry Shaw.

Dalton has been a state senator since 1996. 

"I am extremely honored to have the endorsement of the Simkins Committee and African-American leaders across the state," Dalton said in a statement. "Their support reflects my commitment to making the lives of all North Carolinians better and creating opportunities for everyone to succeed."

Which Senate Democrats are in Republican-leaning districts?

According to the N.C. Partisan Index, seven Democratic senators are in districts that lean Republican. No Republicans are in Democratic-leaning Senate districts.

The index was created this year by the conservative Civitas Institute, using results from the 2004 elections. Ratings were based on how the district voted in Council of State races when compared to state as a whole.

The blue fish swimming in red ponds are all on the N.C. Senate Republican Committee's wish list.

Below, the senators and their district ratings, from most Republican to least:

Sen. David Hoyle (R+11). Sen. Steve Goss (R+8). Sen. Joe Sam Queen (R+6). Sen. John Snow (R+6). Sen. Walter Dalton (R+3). Sen. Julia Boseman (R+2). Sen. Tony Foriest (R+2).

Rep. Alice Bordsen missed three out of every 10 votes.

According to a tally by The Greensboro News & Record, the Mebane Democrat had the most absences during the past legislative session.

She missed most of the votes — including one on the $20.6 billion state budget — during the waning days of the session. A Democratic leader said she had planned in advance to travel overseas.

Rep. Harold Brubaker, an Asheboro Republican, missed about a quarter of the 1,400 votes cast.

A Republican leader said that he was often gone because he was at meetings of the American Legislative Exchange Council, a conservative group. (GN-R)

Sen. Fred Smith, a Clayton Republican who is running for governor, also missed about a quarter of the votes.

Six legislators had perfect attendance: Reps. Nelson Dollar, Phil Frye and Bill Owens and Sens. Richard Stevens, Andrew Brock and Tony Foriest. (AP)

Looking back Wednesday to the Wilmington Race Riot of 1898, the state Senate expressed “profound regret that violence, intimidation and force” were used to overthrow an elected government, force people from their homes and ruin lives.

The Senate resolution said the “government was unsuccessful in protecting its citizens during that time,” reports Lynn Bonner.

The Senate acknowledged the findings of a commission it established to investigate the riot and the events leading to it. The resolution, which now goes to the House, follows one passed earlier this year apologizing for slavery.

Read more after the jump.

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