Why did republicans nominate rutherford b. hayes for the presidential election of 1876?

Republicans nominated Rutherford B. Hayes for the 1876's presidential election because Rutherford came from Ohio's important swing state. Upon Rutherford's acceptance of the said nomination, he wrote that if he would be elected, he would give the blessings of honesty and the capability of the local self-government to the South. This means that he will restrict any federal enforcement of unnecessary Reconstruction-era policies.