This study seeks answers to three fundamental questions: Who were the members of the regional political elites elected in the first regional elections in the year 2000; has the structure of the regional political elites undergone significant change after the elections in 2004, and what are the reasons for the detected changes? For that purpose we analyzed the data from a broad empirical survey among the regional elites, along with the results of the regional elections in autumn 2004. Socio-demographic characteristics and political careers of the members of Regional Councils in the period 2000-2004 are described and analyzed, followed by study of the continuity of regional political elites in terms of the number of ascribed mandates for political parties, and personal continuity among the deputies in the Regional Councils. Finally, the influence of various factors on the personal composition of the Regional Councils is discussed.