County GOP Chairwoman Tiani Coleman will not be running for a second term. And Democratic Chairwoman Nichole Adams won't seek re-election, she said Thursday.

Coleman - who is expecting a baby in June and soon moving to Utah County - said she has enjoyed her two years leading the GOP in the state's most populous county, but that she plans to focus on her family and law career.

She leaves office April 30 after one of the most contentious election years in Salt Lake County history, with the GOP's county mayoral candidate dropping out only weeks before the election and a new Republican contender fighting for votes at the last minute.

"We had a challenging year this [last] election year and I think we did a good job in working with it the best we could," Coleman said. "It was tough, but I think it brought us together and we learned a lot. We are stronger and better because of it."

Adams, who will end her second term April 16 at the county convention, says she wants to focus on her new position as an intergovernmental affairs director for Democratic County Mayor Peter Corroon.

"It's always good to have a change and I'm ready to move on to something new," Adams said. "The primary reason was just the time commitment. It was a really great experience . . . [but] it took every ounce of spare time I possibly had."

Adams' fiancé, state Democratic Party Chairman Donald Dunn, also does not plan to seek re-election. So far, three challengers are seeking Adams' seat: Charles Kimball, county party vice chairman; Lisa Alcott, state party treasurer; and Megan Risbon, vice chairwoman of the Young Democrats of Utah.

On the GOP side, two candidates have already signaled intentions to run: former Salt Lake County Councilman Steve Harmsen and former state Sen. James Evans, both of whom lost their races last November. Both, however, say they don't want to run against each other and may figure out which one will seek the post.

Harmsen, a former Salt Lake City commissioner, says he has the right skills to pump up the party and win more races.

"The overriding goal is we have a big tent and we elect Republicans," Harmsen said. "The one thing we can't have happen is [to let] Salt Lake County become Democratic, and we're on the verge of having that happen."

Democrats did well last year, including taking the county mayor seat, two legislative seats and a county councilman spot away from the GOP. Republican Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. won his spot but didn't take the county.

Evans, who lost his Senate seat in a tough fight, says he hasn't made the ultimate decision to run, but that, "I'm moving more and more in that direction."

If he does decide to run, Evans says he won't put up with any Democratic shenanigans. "Me as chair would certainly change the landscape," Evans said. "I certainly know how to respond to the tactics of the Democrats."

tburr@sltrib.com