Most current political buzz deals with the Huntsman ambassadorship, and incoming Gov. Gary Herbert's lieutenant governor and staff picks. However, this is a municipal election year, and intrigue is fermenting in city races. Local politics is just as interesting as big-time politics, and is sometimes more personal and heated. Here are some interesting races:

Provo City: The recent announcement that longtime Mayor Lewis Billings will not seek re-election has made the race even more interesting (and it was never boring). Billings faced challenges from State Rep. Steve Clark and businessman John Curtis.

Now here's the fun part. Clark is a popular former City Council member and current influential legislator, and his wife, Cynthia, serves on the City Council. His family has a long Provo legacy (some suggest the Clarks were there "before the crickets"). Clark is strongly supported by a number of fellow lawmakers, including House Majority Whip Becky Lockhart (who is married to outgoing GOP Chairman Stan Lockhart). Curtis, a former Democrat, opposed Sen. Curt Bramble in the 2000 general election. In an unusual political twist, Bramble is endorsing Curtis for mayor. Utah politicos acknowledge the strong relationship between the Lockhart and Bramble families, usually referring to this Utah County powerbase as the "BramHarts."

So tongues are wagging why there is a split between these political brokers. The truth is the split was accidental. Bramble played with John Curtis as an adept tactical move to nudge his nemesis Billings out of the mayor's race. Billings is gone and the endorsement of Curtis remains, yet Bramble is still friendly with Clark.

Regardless of who wins the mayor's race, political dynamics in City Hall will change. Billings was a strong, forceful mayor with a big vision, who pushed hard for his priorities. His relationship with the City Council was often rocky, once requiring a hired mediator to facilitate communications. With Billings gone, City Hall could have a more collegial atmosphere (well, maybe).