Republican U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner on Tuesday quickly explained his vote to confirm Betsy DeVos secretary of the Department of Education, claiming she will “fight for public schools.”

“As a product of public schools myself, and a father with one child – soon to be three – in the public school system, I believe it is important to have someone leading the Department of Education who will fight for public schools,” Gardner said in a statement.

In a historic move, Vice President Mike Pence cast a tie-breaking vote to confirm DeVos, one of President Trump’s most controversial cabinet choices, who saw bipartisan opposition.

As a Michigan-based Republican activist and fundraiser, DeVos has focused her education priorities on expanding choice through charter schools and vouchers, though she has been criticized for having limited experience with the public school system, despite Gardner’s support.

“When I had the opportunity to meet Betsy DeVos personally, she pledged to me that she would be an advocate for public schools, teachers and educational opportunity for all,” Gardner said.

DeVos’ confirmation comes after a 24-hour effort by Senate Democrats to block the confirmation.

Colorado’s Michael Bennet, a Democrat, joined the effort to block DeVos, saying, “This nomination is an insult to school children and their families, to teachers and principals, and to communities fighting to improve their public schools.”

Two Republicans voted against the confirmation, Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.

But Republican Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama also participated in the vote, with his own confirmation vote for attorney general scheduled after DeVos’ to ensure he could back her for the education secretary position.

The vote is believed to be the first time a vice president has been called to the Capitol to break a tie on a Cabinet nomination.

Staff for senators have been overwhelmed by countless phone calls from constituents encouraging a “no” vote on the confirmation, though those efforts fell short in the end.

“The debate around her nomination has been a healthy exercise of our democracy, made all the more important because it involves our most precious possession, our children,” Gardner said. “As someone who believes education decisions should be left to parents and their children with policy driven locally, Congress will hold her accountable and I will work to ensure she lives up to the commitment she made to me.”