Rep. Tony Dugger

Rep. Tony Dugger

State Representative Tony Dugger (R-Hartsville) has resigned from office. He tells Missourinet that he’s exploring his options, which could include lobbying. Rumors have been circulating prior to his resignation that Dugger was going to step down and pursue his own lobbying business.

Dugger spent nearly eight years in the Missouri House of Representatives. He was first elected in 2008. Due to term limits, this year would have been his last in that chamber. He did not serve in the state Senate.

The legislature passed a bill that begins this month that would require state lawmakers to wait six months after the end of their term before they can become lobbyists. If Dugger would have finished out his term, which ends December 31, he wouldn’t have been able to begin lobbying until July.

The legislature’s veto session begins September 14. Votes on override attempts on some bills could be close, including on a bill with sweeping changes to gun rights and on a bill that would require a photo ID to vote.