House Speaker Greg Curtis (R) (i) vs. Jay Seegmiller (D)

CURTIS

In his favor:

He has almost limitless resources (nearly $500,000)

He has been elected here seven times.

He's ready. Unlike last time around, he won't be taken by surprise.

His disadvantage:

Friends come and go. Enemies accumulate. Has Curtis accumulated too many?

SEEGMILLER

In His Favor:

He's not Greg Curtis.

In his third challenge, he has built familiarity.

State Democrats want this one.

His Disadvantage:

Not exactly Mr. Charisma.

District leans Republican.

Watch for: Mudslinging, voter turnout

Senate District 27

Rep. Brad King (D) vs. David Hinkins (R )

KING

In his favor:

This seat, vacated by Sen. Mike Dmitrich, has been Democratic since the Bronze Age

A six-term House member, King has represented parts of the district

Has Dmitrich's support

His disadvantage:

Republican Utah County is a large and growing part of the district

HINKINS

In his favor:

Local businessman, well-known in the community

Deep pockets

His disadvantage:

District has natural Dem leanings

Watch for:

King must win Emery County

Senate District 8

Sen. Carlene Walker (R) (i) vs. Rep. Karen Morgan (D)

WALKER

In her favor:

She's the incumbent and a moderate

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. in her corner and on her billboard

Her disadvantage:

Voted for school vouchers

Entire east bench has been trending Democratic

MORGAN

In her favor:

A five-term House member

Strong backing of education unions

Prominent ethics reform message

Her disadvantage:

Always tough to beat an incumbent

Watch for: Do Jim Matheson and Peter Corroon have coattails here?

Senate District 10

Sen. Chris Buttars (R) (i) vs. John Rendell (D)

BUTTARS

In his favor:

A two-term incumbent in the GOP heartland

Backing of Eagle Forum and GOP Senate

His disadvantage:

The infamous "baby is black" episode

The letter scolding a judge

Various other Buttarsisms

RENDELL

In his favor:

Has knocked on thousands of doors

Lots of eager donors

He's not Chris Buttars

His disadvantage:

Heavily Republican district

Not well-known

Watch for:

The dirt is flying in District 10. Can Buttars' buddies bail him out?

House District 51

Rep. Greg Hughes (R) (i) vs. Lisa Johnson (D)

HUGHES

In his favor:

Incumbent in a GOP district

Strong base, good financing

Cleared of ethics allegations

Has surged back in polls

His disadvantage:

Stain of ethics charges tough to wash off

Chided by ethics committee for "unbecoming" conduct

JOHNSON

In her favor:

Backing from education community

Area may be trending Democratic

Ethics reform central to her campaign

Party running cable ads on her behalf

Her disadvantage:

Lost here by 15 percent in 2006

District still leans Republican

GOP claims she broke lobbying rules

Watch for: Do voters vote based on ethics blowup?

House District 48

Ex-Rep. LaVar Christensen (R) vs. ex-Rep. Trish Beck (D)

CHRISTENSEN

In his favor:

Republican beat Beck by 34 votes in 2002

Darling of Utah conservatives with Eagle Forum backing

Big spender, most of it ($38,000) his own money

His disadvantage:

Is he too conservative for this district?

BECK

In her favor:

Has represented this area before

Has knocked on 12,000 doors

Her disadvantage:

This district was drawn for Republicans

Watch for: Will foot soldiers turn out for Christensen?

House District 45

Rep. Brian Monsen (R) (i) vs. Laura Black (D)

MONSEN

In his favor:

Now the incumbent after replacing Rep. Mark Walker

Big money from health industry and House GOP

His disadvantage:

Short-time incumbent in true swing district

BLACK

In her favor:

In third try at the seat, she's better-known

Lost by a whisker (18 votes) in '06

Her disadvantage:

Democrats have come close but not won here

Watch for: Will Monsen pay for Walker scandal?

Senate District 1

Luz Robles (D) vs. Carlton Christensen (R )

ROBLES

In her favor:

Long-time Democratic district

Knocked out incumbent Democrat Fred Fife at convention

Her ethnicity, community activism resonates

Has worked the district hard

Her disadvantage:

A rookie politician

Perhaps not as well-known as Christensen

CHRISTENSEN

In his favor:

Well-known, 11-year city councilman

Represented much of this west-side district

Outspending Robles by 50 percent

His disadvantage:

Needs Dems to cross over in big numbers

Watch for: Can Barack Obama enthusiasm boost Robles votes?