(DURHAM) -- Lt. Gov. Walter  Dalton filed documents Tuesday to become an official candidate for governor. He kicked off his campaign for governor in Durham with critical comment against the current GOP lead legislature's approach to education funding.

"We do not need to abandon that history," said Dalton.  "We need to continue to enhance and protect our community colleges and our universities.  That leads to economic development.  We need to modernize our classrooms in public schools and customize education.  We don't need to abandon that.  That's what this last legislature, I think, has done."

Dalton's professional career began as lawyer in Rutherfordton, in western North Carolina. He served six, two-year terms in the state Senate before taking over the Lt. Governor's office almost four years ago.

State Rep. Bill Faison of Orange County, Gary Dunn of Matthews, and Gardenia Henley of Winston-Salem have filed as official candidates for the May primary in the governor's race. Former U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge also said he's running. Pat McCrory is still the only Republican who has filed.