CHEYENNE - Democratic and Republican legislators will hold their respective caucuses later this month to elect the new leaders of the Wyoming House and Senate.

The Republicans will meet at 8 a.m. on Nov. 22 at the Petroleum Club in Casper.

The Democrats will meet at 11 a.m. the following day at the BOCES building in Rawlins (705 Rodeo Street).

House Speaker Roy Cohee, R-Casper, said he expects few if any contested offices.

Cohee said seven or eight House members encouraged him to attempt another tour as House Speaker.

However, he said he promised Rep. Colin Simpson, R-Cody, he would not actively oppose him for the speaker's slot and intended to keep that promise.

Rep. Tom Lubnau, R-Gillette, current speaker pro tem, is expected to move into the majority floor leader position now held by Simpson.

Rep. Ed Buchanan, R-Torrington, is the current majority whip and next in line for speaker pro tem.

Senate Republicans again will have a contest for the post of vice president.

"The only one we argue over is vice president," Sen. Kit Jennings, R-Casper, said Wednesday. "Once we get past that, it's pretty much tradition. It takes us a lot less time."

Jennings is seeking the vice president's job along with Sen. Curt Meier, R-LaGrange, and Sen. Tony Ross, R-Cheyenne.

Jennings and Ross each have four years in the Senate while Meier has 16 years' service.

Although the House essentially abandoned its seniority system several years ago, the Senate has maintained it so that members steadily move up the leadership ladder once they get a foothold as vice president.

Sen. John Hines, R-Gillette is in line to be president, while Sen. James Anderson, R-Glenrock, is the presumed new majority floor leader.

At their Rawlins meeting, the Democrats will choose their minority leaders. The Senate Democrats also will choose their committee assignments, said Rep. Marty Martin, D-Rock Springs, who was elected to the Senate this year.

Sen. Ken Decaria of Evanston is the current minority floor leader, Sen. Kathryn Sessions of Cheyenne is minority whip, and Sen. Mike Massie of Laramie is minority caucus chairman.

House Democrats will elect a minority floor leader to succeed Martin.

Rep. Debbie Hammons of Worland, is the current minority whip while Rep. Ross Diercks of Lusk is minority caucus chairman.

The election did not change the Senate political lineup of 23 Republicans and seven Democrats.

The Republicans currently hold a 43-17 edge over Democrats in the house.

The Democrats picked up one seat in the house in the general election and maybe two, depending on the outcome of a special election in House District 22.

The Democratic and Republican legislators will caucus again immediately before the general session opens Jan. 23 to discuss specific issues.

Contact capital bureau reporter Joan Barron at (307) 632-1244 or joan.barron@trib.com