INDIANAPOLIS -- Party loyalties are divided before Republican state convention delegates select a candidate for attorney general to replace the outgoing Steve Carter.

The decision that delegates face on Monday pits Carter's chosen successor against one endorsed by Gov. Mitch Daniels, 6News' Norman Cox reported.

Carter has been a popular attorney general, buoyed at least partially by the do-not-call list.

Four years ago, Carter outpolled Daniels in popularity. As he leaves office after eight years, Carter wants his top deputy, Greg Zoeller, to succeed him.

Daniels is pushing his own candidate, two-term Valparaiso Mayor John Costas, emphasizing that the party needs someone on the ticket from north of Indianapolis.

Zoeller knows his endorsements and geographical balance have been important in the past, but said experience is more important and is staying in the race.

"Indiana and Republicans might start a new history where we start to look at experience -- somebody who can step up from day one and make a real difference," Zoeller said. "That's what I'm hoping the party will choose."

Zoeller said he would push to help defend teachers who get sued for disciplining students. Costas said he would expand efforts to help senior citizens and that his qualifications are more than geographical.

"That's just an aspect of it. I think it's my proven leadership abilities. I've gone some very progressive and some results focused with the state, with the city. I know the governor's been impressed with that," Costas said.

6News political contributor Jennifer Wagner said it's anybody's race and that she believes it will be a referendum on Daniels' leadership.

Wagner said the fact that Zoeller hasn't stepped aside shows there's unrest in the Republican Party about Daniels.

"I think he's ticket-balancing in an area of the state where he is weak. It's no big secret Mitch Daniels is not all that popular in northwest Indiana, what with the toll road issue," Wagner said. "That's still very, very much in the forefront of people's minds, and I have to think that he thinks having a guy from northern Indiana, northwest Indiana, will help him in November."

While Costas has piled up big-name endorsements, Zoeller believes he has enough grassroots support to come out ahead on Monday.

The winner will likely face Democrat Linda Pence in the fall election.