BY MIKE MCCOY
SEMO News Service
DEXTER, Mo. -- State Rep.Tila Hubrecht, R-Dexter, announced her resignation as representative of District 151 in a news release Monday morning. The resignation is to be effective June 2.
Her current term does not expire until 2018. Hubrecht said she has talked to Gov. Eric Greitens about holding a special election in the near future to fill the remainder of her term.
Hubrecht cited "personal reasons" for her decision to resign as representative. She said in the release that she plans to return to the nursing field.
"Please know that until that time, June 2, I will continue to work hard for the people of this district," stated Hubrecht.
Hubrecht was first elected as representative in a special election in August 2014. She was nominated by the Stoddard County Republican Central Committee and defeated Democrat Ryan Holder in the special election. A special election was required because Republican Dennis Fowler resigned.
It will be up to the central committees of both parties to nominate a candidate for the special election ballot to fill the remainder of Hubrecht's term.
Hubrecht said she talked with Greitens and received assurances that he would call a special election to fill the position in the House that represents all of Stoddard County and a portion of Scott County.
"It has been a privilege to serve the people of the 151st District and the great state of Missouri," Hubrecht wrote in her news release. "Working in our state's capitol has been a true privilege and honor - it has forever changed the way I will look at issues and how I see government...I have been blessed to meet many people and make many friends, and I hope we will all stay in contact."
Hubrecht recently expressed discontent with the recent legislative session, calling it "dysfunctional." She was disappointed that many bills did not make it to the governor's desk. She was also critical of cuts to health benefits for the elderly and handicapped.
Hubrecht said her disappointment in the legislature was not the reason for her decision to resign. She said simply it was "personal."
"I will remain active in the health care field and will remain very vocal about health care reforms," Hubrecht said about moving forward.