Local GOP officials choose nominee

State representative Sandra Spaulding-Hughes now has an opponent for the November election.

Local Republican party officials met this afternoon to nominate George Swart as their candidate for the house district 18 race.

Swart is a retired information systems designer and analyst for AT&T, and has been active in local GOP activities.

Swart says he doesn’t know Spaulding-Hughes that well, and won’t resort to mudslinging.

He hopes to hold a town hall meeting with Hughes to debate the issues leading up to the general election.

Hughes replaced Thomas Wright earlier this year after he was expelled from the general assembly.