Curtis gave $11,123 to GOP House candidates this year, plus another $12,000 to the state Republican Party for candidate brochures. Curtis gave $5,570 in 2002 to GOP House candidates, many of them incumbents who will vote Tuesday.

Who was running for what House Democratic minority posts was in flux late last week, with several Democrats considering different races. There are 19 House Democrats; 10 votes wins a post.

Assistant Minority Whip Karen Morgan, D-Cottonwood Heights, says she's running against Minority Leader Brent Goodfellow, D-West Valley. Former minority leader Ralph Becker, D-Salt Lake, is also considering seeking his old post.

"I'm not running against anyone," said Morgan. "But Brent and Ralph had their times, now I want a turn. I have some good ideas about making (the minority Democrats) more effective."

Goodfellow could not be reached for comment.

Morgan would be the first female minority leader since Salt Lake County Democratic Rep. Milly Bernard held the post in the 1973-74 Legislature, House officials said.

'Gentlemanly' race

Utah has never had a female House speaker or Senate president. That's not going to change in the Senate, where two members of the current all-male leadership roster are vying for the top spot.

Valentine said he's "very encouraged" about his chances even though it's a choice between two "very good people." Waddoups said he doesn't believe either candidate has enough committed votes to declare victory.

Both said the race has been anything but contentious. "We've worked together (in leadership). We've been friends," Waddoups said. "We're going to work together afterwards." Valentine called it "gentlemanly."

Assistant Majority Whip Peter Knudson, R-Brigham City, is looking to move up to majority leader but faces a challenge from Sen. Thomas Hatch, R-Panguitch. There's even more competition for the remaining slots, with three senators battling to become the majority whip and four seeking the assistant majority whip position.

Hatch, who may be hurt because he has no experience in leadership, said the Senate "is one of the few places where friends run against friends, and also one of the few places where friends will look you in the eye and lie to you."

One of the candidates for majority whip, Sen. Curt Bramble, R-Provo, called campaigning for leadership among the 21 GOP senators "one of the most difficult things you do in a small group."

Sen. Carlene Walker, R-Salt Lake, who announced a year ago she was running for assistant majority whip, said she's not sure how any of the races will turn out. "I don't really have a feel," she said. "We just make phone calls and take each other out to lunch and talk about our vision for a leadership team."

The Senate's Democratic leaders, including Minority Whip Ron Allen, D-Stansbury Park, and Assistant Minority Whip Gene Davis, D-Salt Lake, are expected to seek re-election to their posts, when the eight minority party members meet in caucus on Wednesday to vote.

There are rumors that Senate Minority Leader Mike Dmitrich, D-Price, could be challenged by Minority Caucus Manager Karen Hale, who was the running mate of unsuccessful Democratic gubernatorial candidate Scott Matheson Jr.

Hale did not return a telephone call Friday, but Sen. Patrice Arent, D-South Cottonwood, said she'd "like to see her take a more prominent position in leadership."

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