Though no battles are expected for the top leadership posts in either house this year, there will be leadership contests when the House and Senate Republican and Democratic caucuses meet behind closed doors tomorrow night to elect their leaders for the upcoming Legislature. Just one majority leadership position is open in the Senate, with the retirement of Senate Majority Caucus Chairman Russ Fulcher to challenge GOP Gov. Butch Otter in the primary, but four announced candidates are vying for the post: Sens. Todd Lakey, R-Nampa; Cliff Bayer, R-Boise; Marv Hagedorn, R-Meridian; and Jim Rice, R-Caldwell. No leadership contests are anticipated among the Senate Democrats, where all three members of the minority leadership are returning.

In the House, there are two contested GOP leadership races at this point: House Assistant Majority Leader Brent Crane, R-Nampa, faces a challenge from Rep. Rick Youngblood, also of Nampa; and Rep. Janet Trujillo, R-Idaho Falls, is challenging Majority Caucus Chairman John Vander Woude, R-Nampa. On the minority side, there’s one open leadership post, as former House Assistant Minority Leader Grant Burgoyne was elected to the Senate; Rep. Mat Erpelding, D-Boise, reportedly is seeking that post.

The Legislature will hold its organizational session on Thursday, starting at 9 a.m.; that’s when committee assignments and chairmanships will be hashed out.