JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Rep. Tony Dugger, R-Hartsville, resigned his seat in the House, effective Friday at noon.
Dugger is resigning because he wants to keep his options open if he wants to go into lobbying. The state’s 6-month lobbying ban, passed during the last session, goes into effect at the end of the month.
“I decided at this point I wanted to go ahead and pursue what my next career is going to be. I’m keeping all my options open,” he said. “I’m resigning today because I don’t want to eliminate the option of lobbying, if that’s the direction that I decide to go.”
He also said one factor in his decision was that his replacement has basically been decided already. Hannah Kelly won her primary election last month and doesn’t face a primary opponent.
Dugger’s resignation leaves the Republican caucus with two less votes for veto session, after the resignation of Rep. Ron Hicks earlier this month. The caucus still has a veto-proof supermajority.
Even on vetoed bills close to the 109 mark needed to override the governor, enough Republican members were absent to compensate for the votes of Dugger and Hicks.
The Kansas City Star first reported Dugger’s resignation.
