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.
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