• Within days of the general election, legislators will be conducting elections to determine legislative leadership for the next two years. These contests are great sport because they are brutal confrontations of personalities. Senate President John Valentine will be challenged by Michael Waddoups. Majority Leader Pete Knudson will face opposition from Curtis Bramble, while Whip Dan Eastman may run unopposed. Sens. Carlene Walker, Bill Hickman and Sheldon Killpack are vying for the fourth position. Democrats Mike Dmitrich, Gene Davis and Ed Mayne will retain their offices.

House Speaker Greg Curtis will not face a serious challenge and can provide parental supervision for the bloodbath among his leadership team. The two St. George representatives, Dave Clark and Steve Urquhart, are engaged in an energetic battle for majority leader. Becky Lockhart may face a challenge from Gordon Snow in her bid for majority whip. Ben Ferry has secured enough support from rural legislators to secure an easy re-election for assistant whip. Wayne Harper, Brad Dee, Jim Dunnigan and John Dougall may also seek positions. Depending on the outcomes of the election, Democratic leader Ralph Becker (who is running for Salt Lake mayor in 2007) may face a challenge. Brad King and Roz McGee are expected to seek reappointment.

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Republican LaVarr Webb was policy deputy to Gov. Mike Leavitt and Deseret News managing editor. He now is a political consultant and lobbyist. E-mail: lwebb@exoro.com. Democrat Frank Pignanelli is a Salt Lake attorney, lobbyist and political adviser. A former candidate for Salt Lake mayor, he served 10 years in the Utah House of Representatives, six years as House minority leader. Pignanelli's spouse, D'Arcy Dixon Pignanelli, is a Utah state tax commissioner. E-mail: frankp@xmission.com.