Valentine, 55, is joined by other GOP leaders: Sens. Peter Knudson, R-Brigham City, majority leader; Dan Eastman, R-Bountiful, majority whip; and Beverly Ann Evans, R-Altamont, assistant majority whip.

Geographically speaking, the new Republican leaders' districts stretch across the state, from Corinne in the north to Altamont in the east and St. George in the south.

Neither Valentine nor Curtis, in running for their top offices, pledged to serve only one two-year term as president or speaker. That opens the way for multiple-term presiding officers again. Retiring House speaker Marty Stephens, R-Farr West, served a record-setting six years as speaker. Retiring Senate president Al Mansell, R-Sandy, served four years in his top post.

Both Valentine and Curtis, in separate press conferences, said they were honored by their Republican colleagues and would work hard with Huntsman for the benefit of all Utahns.

"We must continue the fiscal responsibility" in setting Utah's budget during tight economic times, said Curtis.

"We have major challenges," said Valentine: "Transportation, public education, tax reform, higher education and corrections — all of which are important to Utah citizens."

At least Curtis and Valentine won't have to slash budgets, as legislators and former Gov. Mike Leavitt had to do in 2000 and 2001. Utah's economy is rebounding and recent state Tax Commission estimates show the state running a nearly $60 million surplus for the current budget year.

Knudson, known for his kindly sense of humor, noted that Huntsman, new to state government, will have a big learning curve.

"He'll need a lot of education and we'll help any way we can," Knudson said.

Curtis, a 1987 graduate of the University of Utah law school, is now in private practice. Before becoming Workman's legal counsel, he worked as city prosecutor for West Jordan.

Valentine, a Brigham Young University law school graduate, is a tax attorney; now the managing partner in the Provo firm of Howard, Lewis & Petersen.

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E-mail: bbjr@desnews.com