Both political parties in North Caroilna are about to undergo leadership changes at the same time our legislature changes leadership. Tom Fetzer was first to announce that he will leave the State Republican Party in January. Oddsmakers are predicting that former Congressman Robin Hayes will get the nod to be the new party chair. He is widely respected even though some question whether he will have the energy and bulldog grit Fetzer brought to the post.

It is widely expected Fetzer will become a lobbyist with Womble Carlyle, one of the biggest law firms in the state. The Winston-Salem based firm has a stable full of prominent Democrats, including former Governor Jim Hunt, former Supreme Court Chief Justice Burley Mitchell, former Democratic Party Chair Lawrence Davis, and even Governor Perdue's son. What they don't have and desperately need now are prominent Republicans.

It had to happen and we hear it did this week. We're told a prominent Democratic lobbyist stuck his head in the door of one of the new Republican legislative leaders and was greeted by surprise. "You know, you haven't darkened my door since I've been here," the lobbyist was told. "Isn't it interesting that you show up now?"

Law firms, special interest groups and businesses are looking for Republican lobbyists, or at least agents who have known relationships with Republicans. Talk about layoffs and unemployment...look to see who remains among current legislative staff and lobbyists.

The State Democratic Party is also undergoing a leadership chance. Chairman David Young has come under criticism for not waging as effective and aggressive a campaign this cycle. Some party faithful have gone so far as to call the state Party "Missing in Action" during the 2010 elections.

It is no surprise, then, that several are seeking the Party Chair position. The most prominent name we've heard is soon-to-be former Congressman Bob Etheridge, although friends are asking what he has to gain if he wins the post. And if he loses that would be almost a death knell to any future political career. Other names we hear mentioned include David Parker, a Statesville lawyer who has been 1st Vice Chair of the Party, Representative Bill Faison and Representative Tricia Cotham, wife of former Chair Jerry Meek. We're told Meek doesn't want Parker to be selected. The selection of the new chair could be interesting for many reasons.

This new leader will select the team that leads the state party in the 2012 election and will be called upon to respond to Republican legislative leadership, much as Fetzer did during his tenure.