Tennessee Democrat John Wilder, the nation's longest serving state legislative leader, won his 18th term as speaker of the Senate.

Tennessee Democrat John Wilder, the nation's longest serving state legislative leader, won his 18th term as speaker of the Senate. Wilder's victory is especially significant since Republicans took control of the chamber for the first time since Reconstruction after the November election. Despite their one-seat advantage, two GOP members voted with Democrats to re-elect the 83-year-old Wilder, who has represented the same district since 1959 and wielded the speaker's gavel continuously since 1971. "Obviously it's frustrating," said Republican Majority Leader Ron Ramsey. But one who broke ranks, Senator Michael Williams, said, "I expect him to be what he has always been--fair. His bipartisan style is inclusive, whether you are a Republican, Democrat or Independent."