Rep. Richard Gephardt

Web Site
dickgephardt2004.com

Personal
Born: Jan. 31, 1941Hometown: St. LouisFamily: Married to Jane Byrnes Gephardt; three children, Matt, Chrissy and Kate
Education: Northwestern University, bachelor of science, 1962. University of Michigan Law School, 1965
Career: Air National Guard, 1965-1971; lawyer; St. Louis city alderman, 1971-1976; U.S. House 1977-present; House minority leader 1995-2002

By the numbers
$2.27 million: Amount spent on TV ads
$1.48 million: Amount spent on TV ads in Iowa
$13.67 million: Amount raised by the Gephardt campaign as of Oct. 15
$3.8 million: Amount the campaign estimates it raised in the final three months of the year
27: Years Gephardt has served in the U.S. House of Representatives
36: Years he has been married to his wife, Jane
31.3: Percent Gephardt won of the Iowa Democratic caucus vote in his 1988 presidential campaign, beating eventual Democratic nominee Michael S. Dukakis by 9%
22: Number of unions endorsing the labor-friendly candidate

A closer look
Gephardt, an Eagle Scout and former fraternity president, represents the same Missouri district he grew up in. His son, Matt, nearly died of a prostate tumor at 18 months, and Gephardt cites this family trauma as the basis for his wide-ranging $200-billion health-care proposal. His daughter, Chrissy, came out as a lesbian several years ago and actively campaigns for her father; Gephardt supports same-sex unions but not gay marriage.

The lowdown
Gephardt’s years of national political experience appeal to the Democratic base, and his roots in the Midwest, where the 2004 election will likely be decided, could make him a strong general election candidate. But familiarity has bred indifference among many Democrats who say Gephardt’s time has passed. Anything shy of victory in Iowa would almost certainly end his campaign.

Analysis by Times staff writer Mark Barabak

Sources: National Journal, Washington Post, https://www.dickgephardt2004.com