Plum Elected House Democratic Caucus Leader

In a surprising move, House Democrats chose Del. Kenneth R. Plum (D-Fairfax) over Del. Kristen J. Amundson (D-Fairfax) to be their caucus chairman, the second-highest ranking Democrat in the House.

Amundson congratulated Plum afterward and said the Democratic caucus' goal remains the same no matter who is in charge: To win the six seats the party needs to take control of the Republican-led House.

The caucus deadlocked in three votes yesterday. Today, Plum narrowly won, after two new Democratic delegates were included in the vote behind closed doors.

Del. Mark D. Sickles (D-Fairfax) said the close votes were the result of disagreements over personality differences between Plum and Amundson, and nothing else.

Amundson, who was caucus political director and chairwoman of the campaign committee, and Del. Jennifer McClellan (D-Richmond) were both elected caucus vice chairwomen.

Plum, former chairman of the state Democratic party, replaces former Del. Brian Moran (D-Alexandria) who resigned from the House to run for governor.