Dick Gephardt

Richard Andrew Gephardt (born January 31, 1941) is an American politician and member of the Democratic Party. He served as a United States Representative from Missouri from 1977 to 2005, and was a prominent candidate for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States in the 1988 and 2004 presidential elections.

Early Life and Education

Dick Gephardt was born in St. Louis, Missouri, where he attended local public schools. He later went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in 1962 from Northwestern University and a Juris Doctor degree in 1965 from the University of Michigan Law School.

Political Career

Gephardt's political career began in the Missouri House of Representatives where he served from 1968 to 1976. He was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1976 and served Missouri's 3rd congressional district for nearly three decades.

During his tenure in Congress, Gephardt was known for his advocacy on trade issues and labor rights. He played a significant role in the passage of key legislation, including the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, which mandated job-protected leave for family and medical reasons.

In 1989, Gephardt was elected as the House Majority Leader, a position he held until 1995. He was instrumental in pushing forward the legislative agenda of the Democratic Party during his leadership.

Presidential Campaigns

Gephardt ran for the Democratic presidential nomination twice. His first campaign in 1988 focused on traditional Democratic values such as labor rights and social welfare programs. Despite winning the Iowa Caucus, he eventually lost the nomination to Michael Dukakis.

He ran again in 2004, emphasizing similar themes but also focusing on issues like health care reform and opposition to the Iraq War. However, he did not gain sufficient support and withdrew early from the race.

Later Career and Legacy

After retiring from active politics in 2005, Gephardt founded a consulting firm, Gephardt Group, which provides lobbying, consulting, and advisory services on labor and trade issues. He remains an influential figure in Democratic politics and is often sought for his expertise on legislative matters.

Personal Life

Gephardt is married and has three children. He has been actively involved in various charitable organizations and continues to advocate for policies that support the working class and improve labor conditions.

See Also

• List of United States Representatives from Missouri
• Democratic Party (United States) presidential primaries, 1988
• Democratic Party (United States) presidential primaries, 2004