Which players will be back next season?

They argued a lot, maybe even hold bad feelings over words said, actions taken.

But most of the 104 members of the Utah Legislature want to come back next year.

This year is an election year for all 75 House members and 15 of 29 senators. And while it appears now that only a few plan to retire, that won't be known for sure until the March 17 candidate filing deadline passes.

Of course, in party conventions, primaries and the November general elections, those who vote on the legislative incumbents may make some involuntary retirements, as well. And a lot of incumbents will face challenges within their own party.

In the House, Rep. Marda Dillree, R-Farmington, is retiring after 12 years, she confirmed Tuesday. Dillree has been an inspiration to her colleagues; she is now battling cancer for the third time.

But she rarely missed any of her legislative work, often wearing stylish wigs or hats in years past when treatments cost her her hair.

"It's been a challenge. But then life is a challenge," she said Tuesday.

For the past two years, Dillree has chaired the powerful House Rules Committee, a job that carries with it much pressure as Republicans and Democrats alike lobby her to get bills heard or killed.

"I have a lot I want to do" outside of legislative work. "And I hope to have the time to do it," she said.

As reported previously, House Speaker Marty Stephens, R-Farr West, is leaving to run for the governorship.

Stephens set a record when he was elected speaker for the third consecutive time following the 2002 elections. And he's served in either an appointed or elective leadership position for most of his more-than-a-dozen years in the House.

This year, he's president of the National Council of State Legislatures, the nation's largest legislative association, which will hold its annual convention in Salt Lake this summer.

House Democrats said that perhaps two of the rather small 19-member delegation may retire this year, although they declined to give any names.

While most Democratic incumbents — like their GOP colleagues — hold "safe" districts, little chance of being defeated by a challenger from the other party, it's clear that a few, like Reps. Eli Anderson, D-Tremonton, and James Gowans, D-Tooele, would be sorely missed if they retired. Their districts are more Republican than Democratic, leaders said.