ATOKA, Okla. (KTEN) — Oklahoma House District 22 Rep. Charles McCall, the longest-serving Speaker of the House in state history, will soon have less responsibility resting on his shoulders.

The Republican from Atoka has reached his term limit, and his time as a state representative will come to an end in just a few months.

"Not everybody has seen one of these in a while; this is my first time in eight years that I'm not responsible for election cycles for the Oklahoma House of Representatives Republican Caucus, which has been a nice change of speed," McCall said.

His successor will be fellow Republican Ryan Eaves, setting up for a transition in leadership that House District 22 hasn't seen since 2012.

"We should all be so lucky to get to stand on the shoulders of the ones that came before us and did a good job," Eaves said. "There's been 12 years of hard work put in; I just have to continue that."

Eaves and McCall are both business owners in Atoka. Plus, their families know each other, so — needless to say — if either needs help during this transition period in leadership for House District 22, they're a phone call away."

"I probably know what he's thinking, how he thinks from a business standpoint on things," McCall said. "I think it'll probably allow us to communicate very well when we have conversations; we'll be able to interface."

"We're blessed mutually to have built lives in the same town," Eaves added. "I'm sure Speaker McCall would be more than willing to answer any questions I might have. We'll see when we get to that point."

Eaves will be sworn in on November 20.