State lawmaker plans to stay in office after DWI arrest in Jefferson City

A southeast Missouri lawmaker is apologizing for being picked up by police on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. Police told ABC 17 News State Rep. Steve Hodges (D), from southeast Missouri near the bootheel, was arrested around 1:20 a.m Thursday near Dunklin and Jefferson.

Hodges said Friday that he plans to remain in the Legislature but is looking into receiving counseling.

Hodges told The Associated Press that he had been drinking Wednesday night and also had been driving, but didn’t believe he was drunk. He said police picked him up after he stopped his vehicle in a parking lot early Thursday and slipped while stepping on ice. He said he was taken to a hospital and issued a DWI citation.

Hodges said he recently has experienced several stressful events, including a divorce and the death of a friend. But he said that’s not an excuse for his behavior.