At least three prominent Republicans are seeking to fill the still-warm Idaho Senate seat of Brad Little, the state's new lieutenant governor.

Little, 54, an Emmett rancher, took the oath of office Tuesday morning from Gov. Butch Otter. By Tuesday afternoon, Republican Rep. Carlos Bilbao of Emmett, Canyon County Commissioner Matt Beebe of Parma, and party official Melinda Smyser, also of Parma, said they were interested in Little's District 11 Senate job.

Otter next must select Little's successor to represent a district that encompasses Gem County and a portion of Canyon County north of East Cherry Lane, I-84 and the Boise River and west of U.S. 95. The district Republican organization is scheduled to meet next week and submit three names to Otter, who will choose one.

"I think I can make an impact into the day-to-day legislative process because of my past experience in the House," said Bilbao, who was first elected in 2004.

Rep. Steven Thayn, R-Emmett, said he wouldn't seek the Senate job if Bilbao, his District 11 colleague, is interested. Beebe, who lost the Republican primary to Thayn, said he saw Little's appointment as his own window of opportunity.

"It just seems like the time is fortuitous, and I intend to pursue it," Beebe said.

Smyser, a high-profile Republican volunteer who served as the president of the Idaho Federation of Republican Women, said she had been urged by several supporters to seek the post and would decide in a day or two. Smyser was selected as one of Idaho's Electoral College voters for John McCain in the presidential election, an indication of her popularity in the party.

"I've been a volunteer for a long time and now I'd like to serve in another way," said Smyser, the chairperson for District 11. "Hopefully, this will be my opportunity."

The opportunity came for Little in a 6:30 p.m. Monday phone call from the governor.

Otter and Little walked into a courtroom on the second floor of the Borah Building in Downtown Boise to lengthy applause.

Otter used the moment to lay out his similarities with Little: a long friendship with Little's extended family, a career in the livestock industry and time spent in the Legislature.

The similarities Tuesday did not end at political philosophy and a rural, ranching lifestyle.

Both men were dressed in dark suits, crisp white shirts, and polished black cowboy boots. Their hair was parted the same way. Otter sported a red-and-white polka-dot tie. Little had a black-and-white polka-dot tie.

The men mirrored each other's posture. They both took advantage of their casual, folksy styles of public speaking.

"I'm excited to join Governor Otter's team, and the state's got a lot of work to do," Little said. "This national economy is throwing us a curve."

He said he looked up "lieutenant" in the dictionary after Otter called him Monday night. "It says assistant," Little said. "I'm more than happy to be an assistant to serve Governor Otter and the people of Idaho."

Little, a Republican Senate leader, still faces Senate confirmation, which is expected to go smoothly after the Legislature convenes next week for its 2009 regular session.

Little is well-liked in both parties.

"It is important we have somebody fair," said Senate Democratic Caucus Chairwoman Kate Kelly of Boise. "I don't think we could have a better pick. He's a man of integrity."

The part-time job pays $27,820 a year and involves presiding over the Senate, acting as governor in the governor's absence, and succeeding the governor if the governor cannot continue in office.

Little replaces Republican Jim Risch, who was sworn in Tuesday to the U.S. Senate after taking the seat vacated by retiring Republican Larry Craig. Otter has said he considered about 30 candidates to replace Risch.

Kathleen Kreller: 377-6418Brian Murphy: 377-6444