Senate Leaders to Mirror Va.'s Evolution

"The population is moving to urban areas, and there are more people who represent them," said Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple (D-Arlington), who is expected to head the Rules Committee. "But rural areas are an important part of our economy. We're not going to lose sight of that."

Senate Democrats also chose Richard L. Saslaw (D-Fairfax) as majority leader at the caucus meeting over the weekend.

An unprecedented seven of the chairmen are from Northern Virginia, including Charles J. Colgan (D-Prince William), who will lead the powerful Finance Committee. Three are from Hampton Roads and one from Richmond.

Two of them, R. Edward Houck (D-Spotsylvania) and L. Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth), represent districts that include urban and rural areas.

Senators were asked not to talk about the caucus meeting until the results are announced at a news conference next month, but several said privately that the list is not expected to change.

The Democratic senators are embroiled in an internal dispute over which 15 senators will sit on each committee, including the coveted Finance Committee. One proposal, which calls for several senior senators to serve on the Finance Committee, would again exclude representatives from southwest Virginia.

Deeds, whose diverse district combines urban and rural areas in and around Charlottesville, said he is confident that every senator will take into consideration all of Virginia while making decisions on issues as varied as traffic and farming.

"I'm not concerned at all," he said. "We're all in this together."

Walter A. Stosch (R-Henrico), the outgoing majority leader, said Saslaw and Democratic leaders are "finding out how difficult it is balancing the interests in the state.

"You truly have to take into account geographic diversity, even if it's in conflict with seniority," Stosch said. "I hope they will make every area in Virginia count. You can't neglect any part of the commonwealth."

Sen. Mamie E. Locke (D-Hampton), who is expected to become chairman of the General Laws and Technology Committee, said past Senate chairmen have come from rural areas.

"It will go back and forth," she said. "It will always be this urban and rural back-and-forth."

Staff researcher Bob Lyford contributed to this report.