Oklahoma House GOP floor leader to step aside after 8 years

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – The Republican floor leader of the Oklahoma House says he will step aside from his northwest Oklahoma City seat after eight years in office.

Representative Jason Nelson said Wednesday he will not seek re-election to his District 87 House seat in November. The 44-year-old Nelson announced his decision on the floor of the House where he was congratulated by Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb and Republican and Democratic House members.

Nelson is term limited in 2020. He says he has no plans after leaving office but wants to spend more time with his family, including a 10-year-old daughter who recently completed treatments for kidney cancer.

Nelson says his major accomplishments include the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship Program, which allows public money to be used to send disabled students to private schools.