Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn Announces Retirement at End of Congressional Session

Battling prostate cancer, but says neither his health nor his hopes and desires figured into the decision to resign from office two years before his term would be over

Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), a doctor and outspoken fiscal conservative, announced late Thursday that he will step down after the current congressional session ends early next year.

Coburn has been suffering from a recurrence of prostate cancer and has hinted privately to reporters and in a published interview last week that his health troubles might force him to leave office before his current term expires in early 2017. He had already announced that he would not run for reelection, meaning his decision will have him exit two years sooner than previously planned.