DURHAM – Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton officially began his bid for North Carolina governor Tuesday, attempting to brand himself as an education pacesetter and condemning Republican political forces for taking the state in the wrong direction.

Dalton, a Democrat who entered the gubernatorial race within hours of Gov. Bev Perdue's announcement last month that she wouldn't seek re-election, called on 60 or so supporters at a Durham rally to work with him.

"I choose progress," the 62-year-old Dalton said, adding, "We are off and running for that better day."

In filing papers at the N.C. State Board of Elections earlier Tuesday, Dalton became the fourth Democrat to officially enter the race. N.C. Rep. Bill Faison of Orange County, who filed last week, also announced Tuesday he'll air the primary's first television ad. Former U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge of Harnett County also said he's in the race but hasn't yet filed. The filing deadline is Feb. 29.

Dalton sought to link presumptive GOP nominee Pat McCrory with the Republican leaders who now control the N.C. General Assembly. He blamed them for spending cuts to the public schools and higher education systems and attempting to eliminate economic recruitment tools.

"McCrory and the Republican leadership are doing lasting damage to our state, and they are wrong," Dalton said. "But together, we can change the course. That's why I'm running for governor."

Dalton, a small-town lawyer from Rutherford County who served in the N.C. Senate for 12 years before being elected lieutenant governor in 2008, touted his efforts in the legislature and as the No. 2 leader in the executive branch on education and job creation. He was the chief sponsor of a 2003 bill sought by then-Gov. Mike Easley to create "early college" high schools that allow a student to get a community college degree and high school diploma within five years. Dozens of such schools are now set up statewide.

While lieutenant governor, he has led a state commission to help school districts match course offerings with the needs of a region's employers.

"I have led on education innovation," Dalton said at the rally site, a once-closed tobacco production plant now retooled for mixed office and retail space in downtown Durham. He said he began his campaign in Durham because it's a symbol for how the state can transform itself after traditional industries such as textiles, tobacco and furniture.

Durham and its black voting population also are key constituents for any Democrat seeking to win a statewide primary. Durham Mayor Bill Bell and other political figures stood on the rally stage with Dalton's wife, Lucille. Bell called Dalton a fighter who is progressive and forward-thinking. Dalton had a Greensboro event later Tuesday.