Earlier today, Frank Hall (D-69) was ousted as the Democrat's Leader in the House of Delegates in favor of Ward Armstrong (D-10) by a vote of 27-12. Hall showed no bad feelings for the outcome, saying:
"Today the House Democratic Caucus decided they wanted to move in a different direction," Hall said in a five-paragraph statement he issued after the vote. "I respect their decision and urge the caucus to come together and rally behind the new leadership."
A lot of people will question why they waited til after the session ended to make the move. Their response is that it's in preparation for the upcoming elections this Fall. The decision to go with the younger Armstrong seems to be part of a larger strategy to promote the new generation of Democrats in the House.
"The freshman class of this House Democratic Caucus is some of the best--well, they are the best freshman class I have seen in my 16-year tenure in the General Assembly, including my freshman class," Armstrong said.