Saturday, February 24, 2007
Democrats name Armstrong new House minority leader
In a move that signals a change in direction and tactics, Democrats in the House of Delegates ousted Del. Frank Hall of Richmond as the minority leader this morning and installed Del. Ward Armstrong of Henry County as his replacement.
Democrats huddled behind closed doors and voted for a leadership change that caucus members described as a first step in the party’s preparations for the fall legislative elections. Armstrong, who has served in the House since 1992, takes a key leadership post in a 40-member caucus that hopes to pick up seats in November.
“As we position ourselves for the fall campaign we are looking to the future,” Armstrong said.
Some Democrats questioned the wisdom of changing leaders on the last scheduled day of the General Assembly, as Democrats gear up for floor fights with the Republican majority over transportation funding and the state budget.
Armstrong and House Democratic Caucus Chairman Brian Moran of Alexandria said they wanted to make the change before the General Assembly adjourns so that the party can immediately shift its focus to the election.
“After we adjourn we will scatter to the four corners of the commonwealth,” Armstrong said. “And let’s face it, in a modern campaign cycle, as soon as we adjourn ... the campaign for the fall elections begins. We feel we needed to be in position to prepare for the fall campaigns.”
Hall said he respected his colleagues’ decision and would urge them “to come together and rally behind the new leadership.”
Armstrong said Hall has done “yeoman’s work” for the caucus since taking over as minority leader in 2002, the year after Democrats lost 12 House seats in the wake of redistricting. Democrats have gained six seats since then to increase their membership to 40.
An affable Richmond lawyer, Hall is regarded as an effective fundraiser for the party. But Armstrong is a savvy debater who often takes the lead in sparring with Republicans on the House floor.
“The parties are kind of like flying buttresses on a building,” Armstrong said. “The building falls down unless we press hard against one another, and that’s what I’m to do on the floor, to press very hard and provide an alternative to their [Republican] proposals.”
Armstrong said his new duties will require personal and professional sacrifices that, among other things, will affect his Henry County law practice.
"It is going to be a sacrifice from a professional standpoint, but I don’t go into this with my eyes closed," he said. "That was certainly something we discussed but I pledged to do what is necessary to put this caucus first.”
Democrats huddled behind closed doors and voted for a leadership change that caucus members described as a first step in the party’s preparations for the fall legislative elections. Armstrong, who has served in the House since 1992, takes a key leadership post in a 40-member caucus that hopes to pick up seats in November.
“As we position ourselves for the fall campaign we are looking to the future,” Armstrong said.
Some Democrats questioned the wisdom of changing leaders on the last scheduled day of the General Assembly, as Democrats gear up for floor fights with the Republican majority over transportation funding and the state budget.
Armstrong and House Democratic Caucus Chairman Brian Moran of Alexandria said they wanted to make the change before the General Assembly adjourns so that the party can immediately shift its focus to the election.
“After we adjourn we will scatter to the four corners of the commonwealth,” Armstrong said. “And let’s face it, in a modern campaign cycle, as soon as we adjourn ... the campaign for the fall elections begins. We feel we needed to be in position to prepare for the fall campaigns.”
Hall said he respected his colleagues’ decision and would urge them “to come together and rally behind the new leadership.”
Armstrong said Hall has done “yeoman’s work” for the caucus since taking over as minority leader in 2002, the year after Democrats lost 12 House seats in the wake of redistricting. Democrats have gained six seats since then to increase their membership to 40.
An affable Richmond lawyer, Hall is regarded as an effective fundraiser for the party. But Armstrong is a savvy debater who often takes the lead in sparring with Republicans on the House floor.
“The parties are kind of like flying buttresses on a building,” Armstrong said. “The building falls down unless we press hard against one another, and that’s what I’m to do on the floor, to press very hard and provide an alternative to their [Republican] proposals.”
Armstrong said his new duties will require personal and professional sacrifices that, among other things, will affect his Henry County law practice.
"It is going to be a sacrifice from a professional standpoint, but I don’t go into this with my eyes closed," he said. "That was certainly something we discussed but I pledged to do what is necessary to put this caucus first.”
