Your columnists, still bleary-eyed from Tuesday night, address election questions and issues buzzing among politicos:

Any surprises in local elections?

Pignanelli: Utah has a new 800-pound political gorilla — Jon Huntsman Jr. Everyone expected him to do well, but few predicted the incredible margin of almost 80 percent. To accomplish that astonishing feat, he garnered the support of Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, Socialists, Tories, Whigs, Communists, Federalists, right-wingers, left-wingers, no-wingers and everything else across the spectrum. With a massive infusion of resources from leftist billionaires, Utah Democrats were able to expand publicity and other tactics. Thus, many politicos expected stronger net gains in local races for the minority party, but they never materialized.

Webb: One surprise is that turnout wasn't really very good and young people didn't vote in great numbers, despite all the hype. Another surprise was the enormous margins of victory for the Hogle Zoo and Tracy Aviary bond elections, especially in a down economy. Otherwise, local elections were mostly right on script. Republicans won big statewide. Democrats gained strength in Salt Lake County and enjoyed a moral victory by defeating House Speaker Greg Curtis.

Long-range, what can Utah Republicans cheer and fear from the results?

Webb: Republicans can be pleased with overall results, especially in a big Democratic year when Democrats threw everything possible at them and enjoyed nearly every advantage. But Republicans should worry about Salt Lake County. They must substantively deal with ethics reform, and learn how to communicate more effectively on education issues, climate change and environmental issues. They need to be forward-looking and focus on problem-solving, not ideological purity. The steady drumbeat of negative stories from the news media, even though focused on matters more symbolic than substantive, is hurting Republicans. Symbols are what win elections.