The change in Montana’s political leadership lineup should make for some interesting fireworks, but hopefully Helena won’t implode from the gridlock that can come from a divided government.

Keep in mind that everything will be starting afresh with Democratic Gov.-elect Steve Bullock taking the reins in the Statehouse and new leaders being elected in the Republican-controlled House and Senate. New relationships. New staff. New goals and tactics.

Most of the state’s legislators have only known working with (or against) Gov. Brian Schweitzer. Even after serving the last four years as the state’s attorney general, Bullock is a big question mark in terms of how he will or will not work with the Legislature and vice versa.

The Flathead Valley should feel fortunate to have Rep. Mark Blasdel, R-Somers, being elected as speaker of the House, although that formally won’t happen until the session begins in January. Blasdel is competent and level-headed as demonstrated during his term as chairman of the House Taxation Committee in the last session. He will replace Speaker Mike Milburn, who is term-limited.

On the Senate side, however, there was a leadership shakeup that reflects some divisions that have arisen within the GOP caucus. Current Senate President Jim Peterson of Buffalo was displaced by current Majority Leader Jeff Essman of Billings, and Sen. Bruce Tutvedt of Kalispell was defeated in his bid for majority leader by Sen. Art Wittich of Bozeman.

Wittich’s law firm has worked for the American Tradition Partnership, which incidentally advertised against Tutvedt during the primary election. Observers say the Senate leadership has become more conservative as a result of these moves, and Republican lawmakers themselves say they want to better contrast themselves with Democrats.

In addition, there are some internal divisions in the GOP that resulted from issues such as eminent domain legislation for a power transmission line project that was passed in the last session. Some Republicans felt it trampled on property rights while others saw it as necessary to advance commerce and natural resource development. There were also differences over how to direct growing revenues from oil and gas development.

This time around, there will be new dynamics at play, but it remains to be seen whether a “more conservative” leadership can actually commandeer a majority of 26 votes on matters of importance.

Regardless of the new dynamics, it is our hope that the Legislature and governor can find ways to address the state’s most pressing matters. There’s is plenty of business to get done, and only three months to do most of it.