Oklahoma Senator Says He Will Not Seek Re-election

Democratic state Senator Charlie Laster of Shawnee says he will not seek re-election to another term when his current term ends next year.

Laster says in a news release Friday that he wants to focus on his family and his law practice. He is eligible to serve one more term under the state's term limits law and said he will not rule out a future run for the Senate.

Laster was first elected in a 2003 special election when Governor Brad Henry resigned the seat after being elected governor.

Laster was elected to a full term in 2004 and was re-elected in 2008. He has served as the Democratic leader of the Senate, co-Floor Leader in the Senate and as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.