Hampton Dellinger has picked up the support of two labor organizations in his bid for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor.

Dellinger won the backing of the Communications Workers of America and the United Transportation Union, which has more than 10,000 members, according to the Dellinger campaign, Rob Christensen reports.

"On issues such as affordable health care, family and medical leave rights and protecting retirement benefits, Dellinger has been a leader both in the Attorney General's Office and the governor's office," said Wallace Weaver, the CWA's state legislative and political coordinator.

Dellinger, a Raleigh lawyer, formerly worked as Gov. Mike Easley's chief legal counsel and as a deputy attorney general.

Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue today picked up the endorsement of the United Transportation Union, which mainly represents railroad workers.

“Bev has been a friend of the members of UTU and North Carolina’s working families and we look forward to working with her as our state’s next governor,” said Richard Westbrook, director of the group’s state legislative board.

The endorsement is another sign that Perdue is outflanking state Treasurer Richard Moore on the left in the race for the Democratic nomination for governor, reports Rob Christensen.

Perdue had earlier picked up the backing of the N.C. Association of Educators, the National Association of Social Workers, EMILY’s List, and the Women’s Campaign Forum.

The state AFL-CIO is not expected to endorse until next year.