In an e-mail sent Friday under his signature, Butterfield urges fellow African Americans to join him in becoming part of the group African Americans for Dalton. 

 

"North Carolina has gotten a wake-up call," the e-mail says. "Karl Rove and the Tea Party are trying to erode our state's legacy of progress.  They're threatening voting rights, education, and healthcare -- issues that matter to all North Carolinians, but especially impact African Americans."

 

"African Americans have a huge role to play in this fight for our state's future," continues Butterfield, who represents North Carolina's 1st district in the U.S. House. "By registering voters, knocking on doors, and organizing our communities, we can send a clear signal to the Tea Party that we won't allow them to buy our votes and defame our great leaders."

 

Walter Dalton faces Republican Pat McCrory and Libertarian Barbara Howe in the general election. Polls have consistently shown McCrory with a lead outside the margin of error.