JEFFERSON CITY -- House Minority Leader Mike Talboy will not run for a fourth term this fall, saying he will instead pursue an opportunity in the private sector.

Talboy, a Kansas City Democrat and the highest ranking member of his party in the Missouri House, said in an interview with The Star Monday afternoon that he was presented with "an opportunity that I could not pass up," although he declined to go into specifics.

He will formally withdraw from the race tomorrow, and he expects Rep. Judy Morgan to run in his place. Morgan was drawn into the same legislative district as Talboy during redistricting.

"I encourage her to run," Talboy said.

Talboy has one more two-year term left in the House. He passed up a chance to run for the state Senate earlier this year, although he said Monday that his decision not to run for re-election was "a very recent development."

Talboy is just the latest member of Kansas City's House delegation to be either term limited out of office -- such as Reps. Michael Brown and Jonas Hughes -- or who decided to run for another office -- like Reps. Jason Kander and Jason Holsman.

"There's a lot of experience heading out the door, but Kansas City has a great delegation, from top to bottom," he said. "Plus, none of us is irreplaceable."

He said hopes he is remembered for working well with lawmakers from around the state and both sides of the aisle.

"Ultimately, I think we left the place better than we found it," Talboy said.

His only regret?

"I never got to serve in the majority," he said. "But other than that, I can't think of one."

"I will tell you, my time in the legislature has been the most enjoyable job I’ve ever had, and leaving is not a decision I made lightly. I grew a lot, I learned a lot, and I am glad I got to serve my constituents."