The rise of 47-year-old Sen. Barack Obama is credited with dramatically increasing the registration of young voters in Virginia.

But will a youth movement spurred by Obama's ascendancy translate into fewer gray hairs in Virginia's halls of power?

"Every now and then events conspire to push a new generation forward," said University of Virginia political scientist Larry J. Sabato.

"We may be on the verge of another generational shift," Sabato said. "There's always a spark that lights the grass fire, and Obama is one of the sparks."

In Virginia, the difference between the legislature's makeup and the state's voting-age population suggests a generation gap. Only 13 of the General Assembly's 140 members are under the age of 40, while 32 are 65 or older.

Virginians between the ages of 18 and 39 make up nearly 31 percent of the state's population, but represent less than 10 percent of the assembly -- three state senators and 10 delegates.

By contrast, Virginians 65 and older represent less than 12 percent of the state's population, but roughly 23 percent of its legislators, with 11 senators and 21 delegates who are 65 or over.

Officials say a change may be in order.

"In recent years, the General Assembly has failed to tackle the tough challenges we face, and it will take new ideas and new people to get the job done," said Del. Brian J. Moran, D-Alexandria, 48, the chairman of the House Democratic caucus.

When Moran was elected to the assembly leadership in 2001 there was a nearly 20-year age gap between him and the next youngest member of the leadership.

"One of the ways to get new ideas into the General Assembly is bipartisan redistricting reform," said Moran, who plans to seek the Democratic nomination for governor next year. "Putting an end to gerrymandering will mean greater competition and a better chance for people with new ideas to run for office and win."

Bridging the generation gap with young public servants does not always happen organically.

The challenge of grass-roots organizing, the difficulty in raising money and the tradition of political dues-paying in party politics can work against young candidates and enhance the power of incumbency that keeps some legislators in office well into their senior years.

The state's youngest lawmaker, 31-year-old Del. Christopher K. Peace, R-Hanover, took office by running in a special election for a seat vacated by another young officeholder, Republican Ryan T. McDougle, now a state senator from Hanover.

Peace said being young brings a pressure to work harder. But it also adds important perspective on issues such as working, raising a family, and paying off school and home loans.

"I think that's where a majority of people are," he said.

In Virginia, a new youth movement might already be under way.

The new executive director of the state Democratic party, Levar Stoney, is 27. Stoney said he and his friends got involved not to shake up the process but to have a say in it. He said party leaders want more young politicians, but age is not the most important factor.

"I don't care what color you are, how old you may be, anyone can espouse those progressive values," he said.

This year, state Republicans ousted their leader, former Lt. Gov. John H. Hager, 71, for Del. Jeffrey M. Frederick, R-Prince William, who ran on the platform of shaking up a sleepy party.

Frederick, now 32, and the second-youngest legislator in the assembly, was 28 when he was first elected. Being young at the assembly, he said, wasn't easy, and included jokes that he was a legislative page.

"I was this kid to [other legislators], in many cases younger than their kids," said Frederick. "It made it a little more difficult for me than it would have been if I were, say, 40.

"I think some people didn't take me seriously."

Sabato said Obama could change the game.

"I have never seen in 32 years of college teaching this kind of interest among the young," he said. "They are tremendously motivated. I think it is certainly possible that Obama has unleashed a movement that may live after him."

It's too early to tell when the Obama candidacy could change the demographic of Virginia officeholders.

Nationally, the average age of state legislators is between 55 and 58, according to the national Conference of State Legislators. The median age of the population nationally is 37, according to the census.

"The ideal is to have a mix," said Sabato, noting that the current makeup of the United States Senate is the oldest in history.

"You don't want a geriatric ward or the political equivalent of a kindergarten."
Contact Olympia Meola at (804) 649-6812 or omeola@timesdispatch.com.

Contact Jim Nolan at (804) 649-6061 or jnolan@timesdispatch.com.