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19, 5:02 AM EDT

GOP, Dem lawmakers praise Bob Stenehjem

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The North Dakota House’s Republican majority leader says Bismarck Sen. Bob Stenehjem was “the glue” that held the state Senate together.

Stenehjem was the Senate’s GOP majority leader for a decade. He died in a traffic accident in Alaska on Monday, and House Republican leader Al Carlson says he’s in shock over the news.

The Fargo lawmaker says although he and Stenehjem were both Republicans, they often had differences to work out between the House and Senate. Carlson says they always managed to keep a good relationship.

Former North Dakota Democratic Senate leader David O’Connell calls Stenehjem a “terrific leader” who preferred working behind the scenes.

O’Connell says Stenehjem seldom sought credit for his accomplishments in the Legislature.

Funeral arrangements for Stenehjem were pending Tuesday.