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House Democrats re-elected Rep. David Litvack to lead a minority party that will return to the Utah Capitol with five fewer members than it currently has.
"I think our approach really doesn't change much. What has made us effective the last couple of years with 22 members is what will make us effective with 17," Litvack said. "That is looking for opportunities to work cooperatively with the majority party on ideas that are important to us, being proactive and bringing our ideas to the table."
He said the caucus remains focused on issues of funding for education, protecting programs for seniors and people with disabilities from severe budget cuts and advocating for programs to help Utah families hurt by the recession.
He also said that, while progress has been made to strengthen Utah's ethics laws, more remains to be done.
A strong Republican showing in last week's election swept away five House Democrats: Reps. Trisha Beck, Laura Black, Jay Seegmiller, all from Sandy, and Reps. Neil Hansen of Ogden and Jim Gowans of Tooele.
Gowans is the current minority whip in the House. He will be replaced as the No. 2 member of the Democratic leadership team by Salt Lake City Rep. Jennifer Seelig. Rep. Brian King, D-Salt Lake City, was elected assistant whip, and Rep. Christine Watkins, D-Price, will serve as caucus manager.
Democrats will enter the 2011 legislative session outnumbered 58-17 in the House.
Last week, Democratic senators elected Sen. Ross Romero as their minority leader.