The House opened with a prayer from Chaplain Jim Harry to "fill us with your grace and endow us with the dignity and resolve necessary for us to fulfill our responsibilities."

Shortly after, House Speaker Joe Hackney announced that Rep. Saundra Spaulding Hughes, a Wilmington Democrat, had been appointed to replace disgraced Rep. Thomas Wright, who had been convicted of fraud in state court, Dan Kane reports. Hughes is running for the seat and won last week's primary.

Wright, also a Wilmington Democrat, had represented the district for nearly eight terms.

Little business was conducted in the 20-minute opening session. Reps. Bob England and Carolyn Justice were recognized for having birthdays, and lawmakers were invited to watch a NASCAR-style tire-changing competition between the House and Senate.

Sandra Spaulding Hughes will replace Thomas Wright in the state House.

The former Wilmington city councilwoman was named Thurday as the new representative in District 18, taking the place of Wright, who was expelled last month, reports the Wilmington Star-News.

The decision was made by a group of Democratic Party members from the district.

"I am elated," Hughes told the paper. "The community is now going to say we have someone in the position."

She was one of five candidates for the position, including former Wilmington Mayor Harper Peterson and chef and community activist Hollis Briggs.

Hughes and Briggs will face off again in the May primary. 

District 18 Democrats soon will begin the process of replacing former Rep. Thomas Wright.

Jim Morgan, chairman of the New Hanover County Democratic Party, said the four-person committee charged with selecting Wright's replacement will meet soon to set up a timeline.

"The committee could decide to wait until the primary [to choose a replacement]," Morgan said. "That has not been determined, but we expect that it will be before the primary."

He said the two candidates, Hollis Briggs Jr. and Sandra Spaulding Hughes, who filed to run against Wright in the District 18 primary will be considered for the appointment, but the committee likely will also consider other possibilities.

"We haven't ruled anybody in or anybody out," Morgan said.

A former Wilmington City Council member will oppose Rep. Thomas Wright.

Sandra Spaulding Hughes, a retired home economics teacher, said in a press release that she will file for the Democratic nomination in District 18 this week.

Hughes served on the city council from 1999 through 2003. She currently works in community affairs and serves as an educational and parent empowerment consultant.

According to the Wilmington Star-News, Republican attorney Thom Goolsby, Democratic chef Hollis Briggs and Wright's former Republican opponent (now a Democrat) Frankie Roberts have also said they are interested in the race.

The state House is considering expelling Wright for eight charges of misconduct. An attorney for Wright has said that he does not plan to resign and will file for re-election.