Republicans will hold a closed-door caucus Tuesday to decide party leadership and the positions of Senate president and speaker of the House. Whoever receives a majority plus one vote will be elected to the positions. Democrats will hold their leadership elections at the same time. Results are in and races have been decided. Now there is a new challenge on the horizon for Utah's lawmakers: the selection of party leadership in the Legislature.

This closed-door game of courting votes and pledges of support is much different than the traditional smile-and-wave, knock-on-doors campaigning. Control of the Senate and House is up for grabs, and anything can be a factor - political records, personality and performance under pressure.

There is also a wild card: the vote of freshman lawmakers, with no experience in the Legislature.

"It's the closest thing to 'Survivor Island' that I can think of," said Rep. Steve Mascaro, R-West Jordan. "You just don't know."

The contest for House speaker is most volatile, with Rep. David Ure, R-Kamas, and House Majority Leader Greg Curtis, R-Sandy, openly running. Other names mentioned are Majority Whip Jeff Alexander, R-Provo, and Assistant Majority Whip Michael Styler, R-Delta, but neither has declared.

What is interesting about the race is Curtis' connection to the "guzzler gate" scandal that has plagued the Salt Lake County administration. Insiders say that opened the door for some ambiguity in the race, where Curtis was thought to be the heir apparent to outgoing Speaker Marty Stephens.

Rep. Ben Ferry, R-Corinne, says the scandal won't hurt Curtis, who won re-election with 52 percent of the vote Tuesday.

"As far as the perception of most of our colleagues, I don't think that in and of itself, it is an issue," said Ferry, who is vying for assistant whip with Rep. Sheryl Allen, R-Bountiful.

Instead, personality may play a role, say some in the Democratic fold.

"Curtis will fight for what he believes in and that makes him strong," says Rep. Ty McCartney, D-Salt Lake City. "One thing that's great about Dave [Ure] is that if he doesn't agree or he's going to oppose you, he'll be upfront."

That perception of openness played a role in the speaker race two years ago, when Democrats supported Ure against Stephens, saying the incumbent and his posse, Curtis and Alexander, lacked it.

Meantime, House Minority Leader Brent Goodfellow, D-West Valley City, may be challenged by Assistant Whip Karen Morgan, D-Cottonwood Heights, Rep. Pat Jones, D-Holladay, Rep. Ralph Becker, D-Salt Lake City, and perhaps Rep. Brad King, D-Price.

Then there is the Senate presidency, being vacated by Al Mansell, R-Sandy. Key to that race may be the powerful Senate Appropriation's chair, now held by long-term Sen. Leonard Blackham, R-Moroni.

"I know if I were running for president, that's the one that I'd hold out there for support," said Minority Leader Mike Dmitrich, D-Price. "Appropriations is a pretty powerful chair. If I was Leonard [Blackham], I'd make sure whomever I'd support, I'd have that position locked down."

Blackham narrowly defeated Rep. Darin Peterson, R-Nephi, to retain his seat in the June primary. Loyalties were on the line, and Sen. Curt Bramble, R-Provo, quietly campaigned for Peterson, several senators said.

While Bramble would neither confirm nor deny, many believe he may have wanted the Appropriations seat for himself. "If he [Bramble] wants that job, the best way is to have an open seat," said one senator.

But no promises have been made, say the two Senate president candidates, Majority Leader Mike Waddoups and Majority Whip John Valentine.

The two openly running for majority leader also agree.

"You start doing that and you offend a lot of people," said Sen. Peter Knudson, R-Brigham City, who is being challenged by Panguitch Sen. Tom Hatch.

As for the Senate assistant whip race, Carlene Walker, Cottonwood Heights, and Beverly Evans, Altamont, may be running. If elected, either Walker or Evans would be the first woman in that post.

nwarburton@sltrib.com