Retirement or hopping on the lobbyist gravy train?

State Sen. Tom Apodaca, the feisty Republican Rules Committee chair from Henderson County, resigned his seat today -- giving him time, as WRAL's Mark Binker points out, to return to Raleigh in January in a different -- and potentially more lucrative capacity. Resigning now allows Apodaca to complete the mandatory six-month waiting period before legislators can officially lobby the legislature or state government -- ready to go when the next legislative session starts at the end of January 2017. There are several other key legislators who aren't seeking re-election this fall. It won't be a shock to see their resignations appearing in the state Senate or House clerk's offices.  Among them: Sen. Bob Rucho, R-Mecklenburg; Sen. Stan Bingham, R-Davidson; Rep. Leo Daughtry, R-Johnston, and Rep. Paul "Skip" Stam, R-Wake. Sen. Buck Newton, R-Wilson, may want to hedge his bets depending on how the fall election turnout. He's running for Attorney General against Democrat Josh Stein, who resigned his state Senate seat last March.  At least one of the two will have time on their hands following the election.