COLUMBUS, Ohio (WTVN)--Republican Larry Householder is the new speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives, after winning a narrow vote Monday.
Householder edged Ryan Smith by a vote of 52-46 that divided both Democrats and Republicans.
Householder previously served as House Speaker from 2001 to 2004, but left after being investigated by the FBI for alleged money laundering in a case that ultimately saw no charges filed.
After serving as Perry County Auditor, Householder was re-elected to the house in 2017 and will now serve as speaker for the new two-year session.
Both Householder and Smith lobbied for support among Ohio House Democrats for their bids.