The Progressive Democrats of North Carolina (PDNC) voted overwhelmingly at their annual meeting December 8 to endorse Dan Besse for Lieutenant Governor.  After reviewing candidates' responses to a 20-part written questionnaire and hearing from the candidates in a head-to-head forum, the PDNC membership selected Besse by 72%, with 28% voting for other candidates.  PDNC was organized in 2004 to work for economic, environmental, and social justice in North Carolina through the democratic process.  It has multiple county chapters and members around the state.  Three of the four announced Democratic candidates for Lieutnenant Governor participated in the PDNC's candidate forum on December 8 and sought the group's endorsement.  This endorsement takes on special significance as the first organizational endorsement in this contest following a direct comparison of the candidates, their positions, and their records.