Litvack said that, like all leadership elections, the meeting had "the potential to be divisive, but was very invigorating."

Litvack, of Salt Lake City, replaces Price Rep. Brad King as the minority party's leader. King lost his bid for Senate earlier this month.

The 22-member caucus picked Tooele Rep. Jim Gowans, one of only two Democrats from outside of Salt Lake County, as the party's whip.

"A lot of members of the caucus felt very strongly about that," Litvack said. "As a rural Democrat, as we go out and put a face on who the Democrats are, the message is that we are an inclusive party."

Rep. Carol Spackman Moss, of Holladay, will retain her current position as assistant whip, and Rep. Jennifer Seelig, Salt Lake City, was chosen as the caucus manager.

House Republicans on Tuesday selected Rep. Dave Clark, of Santa Clara, as the House speaker and Rep. Kevin Garn, of Layton, as the majority leader.