Norwich — Endorsed Republican City Council candidate Dr. Benjamin Hong withdrew from the race Friday because of a law that prohibits federal employees from running for local elected offices.

Hong, a retired private practice physician, works for the Veterans' Administration. Hong said he reviewed the federal law following Wednesday's endorsement caucus after Republican Town Committee Chairman Peter Nystrom made him aware of it.

Nystrom said he, too, looked at the law again and an amendment to make sure it applied to Hong. Nystrom called the law “very broad" and added that he was disappointed that Hong had to withdraw from the race.

Nystrom and the three other town committee officers serve as a vacancy committee for open positions on the Nov. 3 ballot.

He said the committee hopes to recommend a replacement candidate by the Aug. 20 town committee meeting.

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