HARRISBURG -- State Rep. Frank Dermody has taken a step toward becoming the new House majority leader in January, as the 19-member Allegheny County Democratic delegation voted tonight to support him.

Mr. Dermody, 57, a nine-term legislator from Oakmont, is seeking to replace House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese, D-Waynesburg, who has led House Democrats for the last 12 years.

Recently, Mr. DeWeese has been accused by a former aide of knowing about illegal payments of taxpayers' funds as bonuses to House political operatives in 2006. Mr. DeWeese has strongly denied knowing about any illegal bonus payments, but many House Democrats have decided it's time for a change.

"We think we need new leadership and a change in direction, a new speaker and a new majority leader," Mr. Dermody said after a closed caucus of House Democrats from Allegheny County. "I was fortunate enough to get the support of my colleagues and I appreciate that."

He defeated two other Democrats who were interested in becoming majority leader for the 2009-2010 legislative term, Reps. David Levdansky of Forward and Joe Markosek of Monroeville.

Mr. Dermody still must round up support from Democrats from other areas of the state to get the 53 caucus votes he needs.

Mr. DeWeese hasn't said if he'll run for re-election as majority leader on Tuesday, when the elections will be held.

The only agreement so far seems to be about the next House speaker, who is expected to be Rep. Keith McCall, D-Carbon. He is now the House Democratic whip, and at least two Democrats want to succeed him in that job, Bill Keller of Philadelphia and Peter Daley of Washington County.

Rep. Dwight Evans, D-Philadelphia, is expected to remain head of the powerful Appropriations Committee.