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Update: post updated with comments from Sen. Roach and Sen. Chase.

Sen. Pam Roach, R-Auburn, is applauded after being elected as president pro tempore in the Senate at the start of the legislative session. (Elaine Thompson / The Associated Press)

OLYMPIA A leadership squabble put a twist into the opening day of the Legislature Monday, as minority Democrats helped install controversial Republican state Sen. Pam Roach as Senate president pro tempore.

In what amounted to a mini coup, Democrats sided with Roach and Sen. Don Benton, R-Vancouver, to install Roach in the leadership post.

The move was in part a dig at state Sen. Tim Sheldon, the Potlatch Democrat who has been caucusing with the Republican-dominated Majority Coalition Caucus. Sheldon was president pro tem last year and had been expected to retain the post.

Sheldon was taken off guard by the surprise maneuver.

I think there was a little bit of the politics of bitterness shown on the floor, Sheldon said. He said Democrats wanted to slap me down for caucusing with the GOP. Obviously, Senator Roach and Senator Benton made a deal.

Roach denied that: there were no deals that were made, she said, adding that she simply worked to line up the required 25 votes. Ive worked very well with Democrats and I think they appreciate that.

Roach said the pro tem job is typically reserved for the senior member of the majority party in the Senate chamber and shes the longest serving state senator.

Sheldon said he only learned of the effort to depose him shortly before the vote Monday. It was well-concealed, well-planned and well-executed. Thats the way politics works, he said.

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In twist, Democrats elevate GOP state Sen. Pam Roach to leadership