CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - There should be no surprises when it
comes to the leaders of the state Senate and House of Delegates
when the West Virginia Legislature begins its new term next year.

Senate Democrats have re-nominated President Earl Ray Tomblin of
Logan County for that post. Their fellow party members in the House
re-nominated Speaker Rick Thompson of Wayne County.

Democrats are the majority in both chambers, but GOP lawmakers
also re-nominated their leaders. They are Senate Minority Leader
Don Caruth of Mercer County and House Minority Leader Tim Armstead
of Kanawha County.

The parties in each chamber caucused behind closed doors Sunday.
The full House and Senate will each meet before the start of the
2009 regular session to vote on the speaker and president
nominations.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)