COLUMBUS (WCMH) — A controversial Republican has claimed the job of Ohio House Speaker once again, but it wasn’t possible without the help of a leading Democrat.

David Leland was so vital to helping whip the votes that he was asked to hold the Bible for Larry Householder as he took the oath of office Monday. Leland sat down with NBC4’s Colleen Marshall to talk about his role in the critical vote and why he supported Householder for speaker.

“We had to make a pragmatic choice,” Leland said. He pointed to Householder’s willingness to reach across the aisle and help Democrats have more of a say in legislative efforts at the Statehouse, particularly on issues affecting working families, criminal justice, education and energy.

 “Given the fact that there are only 38 of us [Democrats], I think we cut a pretty good deal on behalf of our constituents,” Leland said. “During the election process for speaker, he reached out every Democratic member personally.”

Leland said Householder’s Republican opponent, Ryan Smith, did not show the same level of bipartisan cooperation and that bipartisanship is what makes a good government.

“Democrats don’t have a monopoly on all the good ideas and Republicans don’t have a monopoly on all the good ideas,” he said.

When asked if Householder’s reputation as someone who may be better at making deals than running the statehouse, Leland said some of the best leaders in the history of Ohio’s government had reputations as wheelers and dealers, but they were able to get things done.