MIDDLESBORO, Ky. (WYMT) - A well known state representative will stay in office for another term.

Rick Nelson won the race for state representative in the 87th district.
He beat out opponent josh Howard from Pineville.

This will be his seventh term representing Bell County and part of Harlan County.

Nelson won by nearly five thousand votes.

He said he is excited to start this new term and humbled by the response.

“It's an honor to think that the folks in Harlan and Bell, they didn't have to vote for us. In every election they've had a choice and it means a lot that they voted for us,” Nelson said.

Nelson said he plans to address issues like pensions for state employees and redistricting in this next term.