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

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

Recently, Mr. DeWeese has been accused by a former aide of knowing about illegal payments of taxpayer funds as bonuses to House political operatives in 2006. Mr. DeWeese has denied knowing about 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 2009-10 legislative term, Reps. David Levdansky of Forward and Joe Markosek of Monroeville.

"We had three great candidates," said Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Squirrel Hill, Allegheny County delegation chairman.

Now that Allegheny Democrats are united behind Mr. Dermody, the challenge will be to seek support from other Democratic legislators in Western Pennsylvania and other regions, Mr. Frankel said. The new House session that starts in January will have 104 Democrats, so at least 53 votes are needed to elect a new majority leader.

Rep. Keith McCall, D-Carbon, is widely expected to be elected to the top spot -- House speaker -- during caucus elections on Tuesday. Since he is from Eastern Pennsylvania, many Democrats want the second-highest job, that of majority leader, to go to someone from the west.

"We need a regional and geographic balance in leadership," said Mr. Frankel. "That's the best way to address the concerns of all the people."

Mr. Dermody still has his work cut out for him on Tuesday. Rep. Kathy Manderino, D-Philadelphia, daughter of former House Majority Leader and Speaker James Manderino, has said she will run for majority leader, and many Democrats from southeastern Pennsylvania are expected to support her.

Another current member of the Democratic House leadership, Rep. Todd Eachus of Luzerne, also may seek the post. He chaired the House Democratic Campaign Committee for this year's elections.

For the third-ranking House spot, party whip, Rep. Peter Daley of Washington County is running against Rep. Bill Keller of Philadelphia.