OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — State Senator John Sparks of Norman is taking over as leader of the Democratic Caucus in the Oklahoma Senate.
Sparks announced in a statement Wednesday that he was replacing Senator Randy Bass of Lawton as the leader of the eight-member caucus.
Bass served only one year as Democratic leader before the caucus voted to replace him. He did not immediately return a telephone message seeking comment.
Sparks takes over the position this week.
The number of Democrats in the 48-member Senate has been steadily declining since Republicans took control of the chamber in 2008. Democrats lost four seats in the 2014 elections.
Sparks said in a statement he was grateful for Bass' leadership and looked forward to holding Republicans accountable.