Utah's Senate and House Republican caucuses will hold internal leadership elections on Nov. 6 at 5:30, according to an Oct. 28 report by ABC4. The elections will determine new leadership for both chambers following the upcoming Nov. 3 general election.
In the Senate, Sen. Heidi Balderree of Lehi is running for the position of Assistant Whip. She faces two opponents for the role: Sen. Cal Musselman of West Haven and Sen. Derrin Owens of Fountain Green, the Senate's chief of staff confirmed the candidate list.
The race for Senate President is described by political consultant Taylor Morgan as a toss-up between Sen. Evan Vickers of Cedar City and Sen. Kirk Cullimore of Draper. Morgan, who contributes to ABC4's Inside Utah Politics, stated that the competition is genuinely difficult to predict and centers on urban and rural dynamics, noting that Vickers represents Cedar City while Cullimore represents urban Salt Lake County.
Other Senate leadership contests include Sen. Wayne Harper of Taylorsville and Sen. Chris Wilson of Logan competing for Majority Leader. In the Whip race, Sen. Mike McKell of Spanish Fork is running against Sen. John Johnson of Ogden.
On the House side, Rep. Mike Schultz of Hooper is running unopposed for Speaker. Rep. Casey Snider of Logan is seeking Majority Leader, while Rep. Candice Pierucci of Herriman is running for Whip. Four representatives are also competing for House Assistant Whip.
The leadership races depend on candidates winning their respective Nov. 3 general elections. The Senate's leadership transition follows the loss of longtime President J. Stuart Adams, who lost his seat in the June Republican primary to Stephanie Hollist. KSL reported that Adams had faced criticism regarding his support for a large data center in Box Elder County pushed by businessman Kevin O'Leary.
Five new Republican senators are expected to join the chamber following the Nov. 3 general election. Results for the leadership elections will be announced after the elections are complete in each chamber on Nov. 6.
