Norwich – The Republican Town Committee does not have a candidate for the 46th District state House of Representatives seat, but tonight unanimously endorsed town committee secretary Mikel Middleton as “place holder” to allow time to find a candidate in time for the November election.

The district covers the urban and southern sections of Norwich. The seat is currently held by 10-year incumbent Melissa Riley, who said she does not plan to run for a sixth term.

Her husband, Emmett Riley, the director of fund development and marketing at Madonna Place in downtown Norwich, will seek the party nomination at Thursday’s Democratic Town Committee caucus.

The Republican Town Committee will serve as the vacancy search committee to try to find a Republican candidate. Anyone interested is asked to contact Chairman Raymond Dussault at (860) 822-9900.