Retired banker Beth Dawson announced today that she intends to run for the District 18 state house seat being vacated by Democrat Sandra Spaulding Hughes. The district comprises area in New Hanover and Pender counties.

Hughes has previously announced that she is not seeking re-election.

“I have spent much of my life working to help others in our community with the goal of improving the quality of life in New Hanover County for all our citizens.  Today, I am taking another step forward by deciding to enter the political arena as a candidate for public office,” Dawson said in a press release.  “Our state is faced with the difficult challenge of rebuilding our economy while ensuring adequate funding for our schools and infrastructure needs.  The greatness of North Carolina comes from its people, not its government.  It is now time to empower the people to get our state moving forward again.”

According to a press release, Dawson is currently a member of the Cape Fear Museum of History and Science Advisory Board. She is a former member of the New Hanover Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees, and Foundation Board of Directors.  She retired from banking in 2000 from Bank of America.

Dawson is also a member of the New Hanover County Republican Executive Committee.