Utah House Speaker Curtis is unseated

There will be new leadership in the Utah House with the defeat Tuesday of House Speaker Greg Curtis, R-Sandy.

It remains to be seen if the one incumbent seat lost by GOP state senators (they picked up an eastern Utah seat) will lead to new majority leadership there.

Controversial Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, appeared to be winning re-election despite a close race from Democrat John Rendell. And Rep. Greg Hughes, R-Draper, cleared of ethical charges just weeks ago, also was headed for re-election — two disappointments for Democrats who believed they could unseat the two incumbents.

But a number of Democratic lawmakers, emboldened by the small successes in legislative races, say change will be coming one way or another.

While Republicans say they will continue to manage the state in a well-reasoned way.

Still, Republicans control state government with healthy two-thirds majorities in the 75-member House and 29-member Senate. And GOP Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. won a landslide re-election victory.

While there were some close legislative contests, at presstime Tuesday, Democrats had gained only two seats in the House and won one but were losing one, in the Senate. If those numbers hold up, Republicans will control the House, 53-22, and keep their same numbers in the Senate, 21-8.

Every House seat was up for grabs and in the Senate, 15 of the 29 seats were on the ballot.

In a written statement, Curtis thanked his supporters, saying it was an honor serving for 14 years and as speaker the last four years.

Four senators didn't seek re-election — Senate Minority Leader Mike Dmitrich, D-Price; Senate Majority Whip Dan Eastman, R-Bountiful; Sen. Darin Peterson, R-Nephi; and Sen. Bill Hickman, R-St. George.

Democrats kept the Senate District 1 seat held by Sen. Fred Fife, with Luz Robles beating Republican Salt Lake City Councilman Carlton Christensen. Robles eliminated Fife from the race at the party's county convention.

But they lost Dmitrich's District 27 seat, which stretches across Carbon, Emery, Grand, San Juan and parts of Utah counties. House Minority Leader Brad King, D-Price, was bested by Republican David Hinkins, a small businessman in Orangeville.

Hinkins, who had never run for public office before, said he's known throughout the district because of his mining-related businesses.