Sen. Heidi Balderree of Lehi is running for Senate Assistant Whip as Utah lawmakers choose new leadership on Nov. 6.

The Utah Senate and House will hold internal leadership elections that day at 5:30, ABC4 confirmed in an Oct. 28 report. The biggest contest: who will lead the Senate after longtime President J. Stuart Adams lost his seat.

Balderree, a Republican, faces two opponents for Assistant Whip. Sen. Cal Musselman (R-West Haven) and Sen. Derrin Owens (R-Fountain Green) are also running, according to ABC4. The Senate's chief of staff confirmed the candidate list.

Senate President race called a toss-up

The headline race pits Sen. Evan Vickers (R-Cedar City) against Sen. Kirk Cullimore (R-Draper) for Senate President. Two political insiders who spoke with ABC4, one on background and one on the record, called it a toss-up.

"The race for Senate President is shaping up to be a very competitive election, and at this point I think it's genuinely difficult to predict the outcome," political consultant Taylor Morgan said. Morgan contributes to ABC4's Inside Utah Politics streaming show.

Morgan said he believes the race centers on urban and rural dynamics. Vickers represents Cedar City, while Cullimore represents urban Salt Lake County.

The opening came after Adams (R-Layton), who led the Senate since 2018, lost to Stephanie Hollist in the June Republican primary. KSL reported Adams had faced criticism over his support of a large data center in Box Elder County pushed by businessman Kevin O'Leary. Hollist made that a key campaign issue.

Five new senators add uncertainty

Five new Republican senators are expected to join the chamber after the Nov. 3 general election. One insider told ABC4 all of them are being courted for their votes.

The leadership races also presume each candidate wins their own Nov. 3 election, an outcome ABC4 described as expected.

Beyond the presidency, the Senate will also choose a Majority Leader. Sen. Wayne Harper (R-Taylorsville) and Sen. Chris Wilson (R-Logan) are competing for that post. The Whip race features Sen. Mike McKell (R-Spanish Fork) against Sen. John Johnson (R-Ogden).

House races draw less drama

On the House side, Rep. Mike Schultz (R-Hooper) is running unopposed for Speaker. Rep. Casey Snider (R-Logan) is seeking Majority Leader, and Rep. Candice Pierucci (R-Herriman) is running for Whip. Four representatives are competing for House Assistant Whip.

The filing deadline for candidates was Nov. 4, meaning additional names could have entered after ABC4's Oct. 28 report. Results will be announced after the elections are complete in each chamber on Nov. 6.