Tennessee Sen. Lamar Alexander appears poised to be elected the next Senate Republican Conference chairman this week, according to Senate sources.

Barring a surprise change in the political landscape that sends undecided senators and even a few committed to Alexander to challenger Richard Burr of North Carolina, he should be elected to replace Sen. Jon Kyl, who is expected to be elected the new whip, replacing retiring Sen. Trent Lott. The election occurs tomorrow.

One source said Alexander appears ahead because his team has run a better campaign.

"Alexander has a coherent approach as opposed to an incoherent approach," said a leadership official