View source for Dick Gephardt

{{Short description|American attorney, lobbyist and politician (born 1941)}}
{{BLP sources|date=December 2019}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2023}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name         = Dick Gephardt
| image        = Dick Gephardt portrait.jpg
| caption      = Official portrait, 1997
| office       = [[Party leaders of the United States House of Representatives|House Minority Leader]]
| 1blankname   = Whip
| 1namedata    = [[David Bonior]]<br>Nancy Pelosi
| term_start   = January 3, 1995
| term_end     = January 3, 2003
| predecessor  = [[Robert H. Michel]]
| successor    = [[Nancy Pelosi]]
| office2      = Leader of the [[House Democratic Caucus]]
| term_start2  = January 3, 1995 
| term_end2    = January 3, 2003  
| predecessor2 = [[Tom Foley]]
| successor2   = Nancy Pelosi
| office3      = [[Party leaders of the United States House of Representatives|House Majority Leader]]
| 1blankname3  = Speaker
| 1namedata3   = Tom Foley
| 1blankname4  = Whip
| 1namedata4   = [[William H. Gray (Pennsylvania politician)|William H. Gray]]<br>[[David Bonior]]
| term_start3  = June 6, 1989
| term_end3    = January 3, 1995
| predecessor4 = Tom Foley
| successor4   = [[Dick Armey]]
| office5      = [[Democratic Caucus Chairman of the United States House of Representatives|Chair of the House Democratic Caucus]]
| leader5      = [[Tip O'Neill]]<br>[[Jim Wright]]
| term_start5  = January 3, 1985
| term_end5    = January 3, 1989
| predecessor5 = [[Gillis William Long]]
| successor5   = William H. Gray
| state6       = [[Missouri]]
| district6    = {{ushr|MO|3|3rd}}
| term_start6  = January 3, 1977
| term_end6    = January 3, 2005
| predecessor6 = [[Leonor Sullivan]]
| successor6   = [[Russ Carnahan]]
| birth_name   = Richard Andrew Gephardt
| birth_date   = {{birth date and age|1941|1|31}}
| birth_place  = [[St. Louis]], [[Missouri]], U.S.
| death_date   = 
| death_place  = 
| party        = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| spouse       = {{marriage|Jane Gephardt|1966|2024|end=died}}
| children     = 3, including [[Chrissy Gephardt|Chrissy]]
| education    = [[Northwestern University]] ([[Bachelor of Science|BS]])<br>[[University of Michigan]] ([[Juris Doctor|JD]])
| allegiance   = {{flag|United States}}
| branch       = {{air force|United States}}
| serviceyears = 1965–1971
| unit         = [[Missouri Air National Guard]]
| module       = {{Listen |pos=center |embed=yes |filename=House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt on Russian Missile Exports to Iran.ogg |title=Dick Gephardt's voice |type=speech |description=Dick Gephardt on legislation sanctioning [[Russia]] for missile exports to [[Iran]].<br>Recorded June 9, 1998}}
}}
'''Richard Andrew Gephardt''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɡ|ɛ|p|h|ɑːr|d}};<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.c-span.org/video/?179983-3/gephardt-campaign-iowa|title=Gephardt Campaign in Iowa|work=Washington Journal|publisher=C-SPAN|date=January 15, 2004|access-date=June 25, 2020|archive-date=June 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627163956/https://www.c-span.org/video/?179983-3/gephardt-campaign-iowa|url-status=live}}</ref> born January 31, 1941) is an American attorney, lobbyist, and politician who represented {{ushr|MO|3}} in the [[United States House of Representatives]] from 1977 to 2005. A member of the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]], he was [[Party leaders of the United States House of Representatives|House majority leader]] from 1989 to 1995 and [[Party leaders of the United States House of Representatives|minority leader]] from 1995 to 2003. He ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States in [[1988 Democratic Party presidential primaries|1988]] and [[2004 Democratic Party presidential primaries|2004]]. Gephardt was mentioned as a possible vice presidential nominee in [[1988 United States presidential election|1988]], [[1992 United States presidential election|1992]], [[2000 United States presidential election|2000]], [[2004 United States presidential election|2004]], and [[2008 United States presidential election|2008]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.usnews.com/articles/news/campaign-2008/2008/07/01/gop-envisions-gephardt-as-possible-obama-running-mate.html |title=GOP Envisions Gephardt as Possible Obama Running Mate |magazine=U.S. News & World Report |access-date=2009-08-23 |archive-date=August 25, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080825041632/http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/campaign-2008/2008/07/01/gop-envisions-gephardt-as-possible-obama-running-mate.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Since his retirement from politics, Gephardt has become a [[lobbyist]]. He founded a Washington-based public affairs firm, Gephardt Government Affairs; an Atlanta-based labor consultancy, the Gephardt Group; and a [[direct primary care]] group, SolidaritUS Health.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://solidaritus.net/ |title=SolidaritUS Health |access-date=January 20, 2021 |archive-date=January 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118110623/https://solidaritus.net/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He also consults for [[DLA Piper]], [[FTI Consulting]] and [[Goldman Sachs]],<ref name="Forbes">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/richard-gephardt/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130708145953/http://www.forbes.com/profile/richard-gephardt/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 8, 2013 |title=Richard Gephardt |magazine=[[Forbes]] |access-date=7 August 2013}}</ref> and is a member of the ReFormers Caucus of [[Issue One]] and co-chair of Issue One's Council for Responsible Social Media with former Massachusetts lieutenant governor [[Kerry Healey]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.issueone.org/reformers/#reformer-full-list|title=Issue One – ReFormers Caucus|year=2023|access-date=November 7, 2019|archive-date=November 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112152949/https://www.issueone.org/reformers/#reformer-full-list|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Feiner|first=Lauren|date=October 12, 2022|title=Facebook whistleblower, former defense and intel officials form group to fix social media|publisher=CNBC|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/10/12/council-for-responsible-social-media-features-haugen-gephardt-hagel-.html|access-date=October 12, 2022|archive-date=October 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221012131138/https://www.cnbc.com/2022/10/12/council-for-responsible-social-media-features-haugen-gephardt-hagel-.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Council for Responsible Social Media – Issue One|website=issueone.org|url=https://issueone.org/projects/council-for-responsible-social-media/|access-date=October 12, 2022|archive-date=October 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221012171045/https://issueone.org/projects/council-for-responsible-social-media/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Early life==
Gephardt was born in [[St. Louis]], [[Missouri]], on January 31, 1941, the son of Loreen Estelle (née Cassell) and Louis Andrew Gephardt, a [[Teamsters|Teamster]] milkman; part of his ancestry is [[German American|German]].<ref>{{cite web|url = https://gephardt.mohistory.org/description/index.php|title = Richard Andrew Gephardt|website = Richard Andrew Gephardt Collection|publisher = [[Missouri Historical Society]]|accessdate = November 19, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wargs.com/political/gephardt.html |title=Ancestry of Dick Gephardt |publisher=Wargs.com |access-date=2009-08-23 |archive-date=July 24, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070724173834/http://www.wargs.com/political/gephardt.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He graduated from the former Southwest High School in 1958. Gephardt is an [[Eagle Scout rank (Boy Scouts of America)|Eagle Scout]] and recipient of the [[Distinguished Eagle Scout Award]] from the [[Boy Scouts of America]]. He earned his [[Bachelor of Science|B.S.]] at [[Northwestern University]] in 1962 where he was president of [[Beta Theta Pi]], the student senate, and his freshman class. He earned his [[Juris Doctor|J.D.]] at the [[University of Michigan Law School]] in 1965.{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}

In 1965, Gephardt was admitted to the [[Missouri Bar]]. He then entered the [[Missouri Air National Guard]], where he served until 1971. He and his wife Jane have three grown children, Matt, Katie, and [[Chrissy Gephardt|Chrissy]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.naplesnews.com/obituaries/psar0689435 |title=Obituaries in Naples, FL &#124; Naples Daily News |date=January 14, 2024 |access-date=March 31, 2024 |archive-date=March 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240331160931/https://www.naplesnews.com/obituaries/psar0689435 |url-status=live}}</ref> His brother, Donald L. Gephardt, was the Dean of The College of Fine and Performing Arts at [[Rowan University]] in [[Glassboro, New Jersey]]. Gephardt was a [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] committeeman ([[precinct captain]]) for the 14th ward in St. Louis from 1968 through 1971.<ref name="plans" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Richard Gephardt to Deliver Commencement Address |url=https://www.monmouthcollege.edu/live/news/4033-richard-gephardt-to-deliver-commencement-address |website=Monmouth College |access-date=21 November 2024 |language=en |date=March 27, 2023 |archive-date=August 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240816102036/https://www.monmouthcollege.edu/live/news/4033-richard-gephardt-to-deliver-commencement-address |url-status=live }}</ref>

==St. Louis Board of Aldermen (1971–1976)==
Gephardt was the 14th ward [[alderman]] (city councilor) on the [[St. Louis Board of Aldermen]] from 1971 to 1976. On the council, he was part of a group of young aldermen known informally as "The [[Young Turks]]."<ref name="plans">{{cite book |last=Kindleberger |first=Charles |editor-last=Tranel |editor-first=Mark |title=St. Louis Plans: The Ideal and the Real St. Louis |publisher=Missouri Historical Society Press |date=2007 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/stlouisplansidea00unse/page/151 151] |chapter=Chapter 5: Planning Since the 1970s in the City of St. Louis |isbn=978-1883982614 |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/stlouisplansidea00unse/page/151 }}</ref>

==U.S. House of Representatives (1976–2003)==
===Early tenure===
In [[1976 United States House of Representatives elections|1976]], Gephardt was elected to Congress from the St. Louis–based [[Missouri's 3rd congressional district|3rd district]], succeeding 24-year incumbent [[Leonor Sullivan]]. He was elected 13 more times, opting not to run for reelection in 2004. For most of his Congressional career, Gephardt's National Political Director was St. Louis–based political consultant [[Joyce Aboussie]]. Gephardt voted in favor of the [[Passage of Martin Luther King Jr. Day|bill]] establishing [[Martin Luther King Jr. Day]] as a [[Federal holidays in the United States|federal holiday]] in August 1983 but did not vote on the [[Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987]] (or the vote to override [[Ronald Reagan|President Reagan]]'s veto in March 1988).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/98-1983/s293|title=TO PASS H.R. 3706. (MOTION PASSED) SEE NOTE(S) 19.|access-date=May 17, 2020|archive-date=May 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520132928/https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/98-1983/s293|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/100-1988/s432|title=TO PASS S 557, CIVIL RIGHTS RESTORATION ACT, A BILL TO RESTORE THE BROAD COVERAGE AND CLARIFY FOUR CIVIL RIGHTS LAWS BY PROVIDING THAT IF ONE PART OF AN INSTITUTION IS FEDERALLY FUNDED, THEN THE ENTIRE INSTITUTION MUST NOT DISCRIMINATE.|access-date=May 17, 2020|archive-date=July 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728203812/https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/100-1988/s432|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/100-1988/s487|title=TO ADOPT, OVER THE PRESIDENT'S VETO OF S 557, CIVIL RIGHTS RESTORATION ACT, A BILL TO RESTORE BROAD COVERAGE OF FOUR CIVIL RIGHTS LAWS BY DECLARING THAT IF ONE PART OF AN INSTITUTION RECEIVES FEDERAL FUNDS, THEN THE ENTIRE INSTITUTION MUST NOT DISCRIMINATE. TWO-THIRDS OF THE SENATE, HAVING VOTED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, OVERRODE THE PRESIDENTIAL VETO.|access-date=May 17, 2020|archive-date=August 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810145251/https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/100-1988/s487|url-status=live}}</ref>

===1988 presidential campaign===
[[File:Dickgephardt1988.gif|thumb|left|campaign logo]]
[[File:Democratic hopeful Richard Gephardt speaks to the audience - Tallahassee, Florida.jpg|thumb|left|Gephardt campaigning for president in [[Tallahassee, Florida]], 1987]]
Gephardt was an unsuccessful candidate for the Democratic nomination in the [[1988 U.S. presidential election|1988 presidential election]]. He was one of the first to announce his candidacy that cycle in February 1987, over 100 days in Iowa. He was stuck in low double digits in polls, but began moving ahead in [[Iowa]] in late December 1987 after running an ad that criticized trade barriers by Korea and Japan as unfair.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}} He won the [[Iowa caucus]]es and [[South Dakota]] primary in February while finishing a strong second in [[New Hampshire]], making him a serious contender for the nomination.<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-03-02-mn-305-story.html|title = But It Is Called Oversimplified : 'Hyundai' TV Ad Boosts Gephardt|last = Risen|first = James|date = March 2, 1988|work = [[Los Angeles Times]]|author-link = James Risen}}</ref>

Gephardt's early victories did not translate into support in other states, though, and he was not able to raise adequate funds to compete in the Southern primaries. His campaign ran out of money after losing badly in the March "[[Super Tuesday]]" primaries, when he won only the Missouri primary. An ad aired by Governor [[Michael Dukakis]]'s campaign focused on Gephardt's "flip-flopping" voting record and showed a Gephardt look-alike doing forward and backward flips for the camera. Many felt the ad killed any chance Gephardt had of winning the nomination.{{citation needed|date=October 2019}} Gephardt dropped out after winning only 13% in Michigan, despite support from the [[United Auto Workers]]. Dukakis considered selecting Gephardt as his vice presidential running mate but instead chose [[Texas]] Senator [[Lloyd Bentsen]].

===House leadership===
[[File:Dick Gephardt.jpg|thumb|Portrait of Gephardt from the 1997 ''Congressional Pictorial Directory'']]
[[File:President Bill Clinton meets with Congressional Leaders (42) (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|Gephardt greeting President [[Bill Clinton]] in February 1993]]
[[File:Representative Richard Gephardt Shakes Hands with President George W. Bush in the Oval Office (03) (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Gephardt greeting President [[George W. Bush]] in January 2001]]

In part due to the visibility gained from his 1988 presidential bid, Gephardt was elected [[Majority Leader of the United States House of Representatives|majority leader]] by his House colleagues in June 1989, making him the second-ranking Democrat in the House, behind then-[[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|Speaker]] [[Tom Foley]]. Gephardt served in that position until January 1995.

After Foley was unseated in the Republican landslide of 1994 that gave the Republicans a 52-seat majority, Gephardt became the leader of the House Democrats, as [[Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives|minority leader]], initially opposite [[Newt Gingrich]] and then, from 1999 onward, [[Dennis Hastert]]. When Gingrich faced a coup within his own party in 1997, Gephardt could have become Speaker if there had been a floor vote and he gained the support of Republican members dissatisfied with Gingrich, but Gingrich refused to resign and no vote occurred. In the 1996, 1998, and 2000 elections, Gephardt led the Democrats to gains in the House,<ref name="CNN">{{cite news|url=http://articles.cnn.com/2002-11-18/politics/column.shields.opinion.gephardt_1_leader-gephardt-dick-gephardt-caucus?_s=PM:ALLPOLITICS |work=CNN |title=AllPolitics Clinton, Gephardt Share Welfare Event Stage |date=August 12, 1997 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324053623/http://articles.cnn.com/2002-11-18/politics/column.shields.opinion.gephardt_1_leader-gephardt-dick-gephardt-caucus?_s=PM:ALLPOLITICS |archive-date=2012-03-24 }}</ref> although they did not retake the majority until 2006, after Gephardt had left Congress. Therefore, he is the first House Democratic leader who has not served as Speaker since [[Finis J. Garrett]].

Gephardt became a prolific financial supporter of Democrats around the country in the early 1990s, assembling a team of top fundraising staff who helped him support hundreds of candidates for local and federal office. Although Gephardt worked hard for many of President [[Bill Clinton]]'s programs, he and his union supporters strongly opposed NAFTA and other "free trade" programs, so Clinton relied on Republican support to pass those initiatives. During the [[Impeachment of Bill Clinton|impeachment proceedings of President Clinton]], Gephardt led a walkout in the House after a censure motion was ruled irrelevant to the impeachment debate.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/events/clinton_under_fire/latest_news/238784.stm | work=BBC News | title=Clinton impeached | date=December 19, 1998 | access-date=December 20, 2010 | archive-date=April 12, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110412100113/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/events/clinton_under_fire/latest_news/238784.stm | url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Dick Gephardt 1998.jpg|thumb|left|Gephardt speaking at a vigil for [[Matthew Shepard]] in 1998]]
In 2000, Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee [[Al Gore]] named Gephardt to his short list of possible vice presidential candidates. The other names on the short list were Indiana Senator [[Evan Bayh]], North Carolina Senator [[John Edwards]], Massachusetts Senator [[John Kerry]], Connecticut Senator [[Joe Lieberman]], and New Hampshire Governor [[Jeanne Shaheen]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=123200 |title=Gore Down To Short List |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=August 3, 2000 |work=ABC News |access-date=August 1, 2015 |archive-date=June 6, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606232119/http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=123200 |url-status=live }}</ref> Gore eventually selected Lieberman.

In the 2002 Congressional midterm elections, Gephardt campaigned on the economy and Social Security, but the continuing resonance of the [[September 11 attacks]], the momentum for military action against Iraq, and President [[George W. Bush]]'s popularity lead to Republican gains, with the Democrats losing four House seats. [[Harold Ford Jr.]] of Tennessee called the results an "absolute blowout" and called upon Gephardt to step down, saying that it was time for "new ideas and new faces". Due to his previous success, it has been said that Gephardt would have been easily returned as Minority Leader if he had decided to stay on.<ref name="CNN"/><ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/2310717.stm | work=BBC News | title=Dick Gephardt: Home issue campaigner | date=November 7, 2002 | access-date=December 13, 2010 | archive-date=March 27, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327043923/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/2310717.stm | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/2414343.stm | work=BBC News | title=Top Democrat leader resigns | date=November 7, 2002 | access-date=December 13, 2010 | archive-date=February 2, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100202051014/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/2414343.stm | url-status=live }}</ref> However, Gephardt, who was planning to run for president in 2004, did not run for reelection as House Minority Leader, stepping down in January 2003. His leadership position was contested by the centrist [[Martin Frost]], the outgoing Democratic Caucus Chair, and the liberal [[Nancy Pelosi]], the Minority Whip, who was elected as Gephardt's successor. No longer having Congressional leadership duties freed Gephardt up to concentrate on a 2004 presidential bid.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/234096711.html?dids=234096711:234096711&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Nov+07%2C+2002&author=Nick+Anderson&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Election+2002+%2F+NATIONAL+RESULTS%3B+Gephardt+to+Leave+Leadership+Post%3B+Resigning+as+minority+chief+of+the+House+could+free+the+Democrat+for+a+presidential+bid.&pqatl=google | first=Nick | last=Anderson | title=Election 2002 / NATIONAL RESULTS; Gephardt to Leave Leadership Post; Resigning as minority chief of the House could free the Democrat for a presidential bid | date=November 7, 2002 | access-date=July 6, 2017 | archive-date=November 4, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104164203/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/234096711.html?dids=234096711:234096711&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Nov+07,+2002&author=Nick+Anderson&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Election+2002+%2F+NATIONAL+RESULTS%3B+Gephardt+to+Leave+Leadership+Post%3B+Resigning+as+minority+chief+of+the+House+could+free+the+Democrat+for+a+presidential+bid.&pqatl=google | url-status=dead }}</ref>

===2004 presidential campaign===
{{main|Dick Gephardt 2004 presidential campaign}}
Gephardt announced his [[2004 U.S. presidential election|second run for president]] on January 5, 2003. His successor as Minority Leader, Nancy Pelosi, endorsed him. His campaign was notable for the high-profile [[coming out]] of his daughter [[Chrissy Gephardt|Chrissy]] in ''[[People (magazine)|People]]'' magazine, while she was helping him on the campaign trail,<ref>[http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20140201,00.html No Secrets] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921060451/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20140201,00.html |date=September 21, 2016}}, ''[[People (magazine)|people]]'', June 2, 2003</ref><ref>[https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=125100&page=1 Gay Daughter Joins Gephardt Campaign] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160825215631/http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=125100&page=1 |date=August 25, 2016}}, [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]], June 9, 2003</ref> a subject they also discussed in interviews for the 2007 documentary film ''[[For the Bible Tells Me So]]'';<ref>[http://www.pageoneq.com/news/2007/Chrissy_and_Dick_Gephardt_appear_on_CNN_to_promote_new_film_For_The_Bible_Tell_1016.html Chrissy and Dick Gephardt appear on CNN to promote new film, ''For The Bible Tells Me So''] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303215703/http://www.pageoneq.com/news/2007/Chrissy_and_Dick_Gephardt_appear_on_CNN_to_promote_new_film_For_The_Bible_Tell_1016.html |date=March 3, 2016}}, PageOneQ, October 16, 2007</ref> he has continued to be an outspoken advocate for [[gay rights]] since the campaign.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120906161743/http://www.nhpr.org/node/5550 Home State Record: Dick Gephardt], [[New Hampshire Public Radio]], December 30, 2003</ref>{{citation needed|date=October 2023}}

Although Republicans considered him a formidable candidate, Gephardt was seen by many as too old-fashioned and unelectable.<ref name="Swarns">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/20/us/2004-campaign-missouri-congressman-gephardt-s-poignant-echo-site-his-1988.html?ref=richardagephardt |work=The New York Times |first=Rachel L. |last=Swarns |title=THE 2004 CAMPAIGN: THE MISSOURI CONGRESSMAN; Gephardt's Poignant Echo at the Site of His 1988 Victory |date=January 20, 2004 |access-date=February 18, 2017 |archive-date=March 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316152243/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/20/us/2004-campaign-missouri-congressman-gephardt-s-poignant-echo-site-his-1988.html?ref=richardagephardt |url-status=live }}</ref> His fundraising efforts were behind those of former [[Vermont]] Governor [[Howard Dean]] and Senators [[John Kerry]] and [[John Edwards]], and tied with [[Joe Lieberman]]. Gephardt's support of the [[Iraq Resolution|Iraq War resolution]] hurt him among [[Modern liberalism in the United States|liberal]] activists. He promoted a form of [[universal health care]], and was backed by 21 labor unions, but did not have enough support to receive the [[AFL–CIO]]'s endorsement.<ref name="Swarns" />

[[File:Dick Gephardt supporters.jpg|thumb|Supporters of Gephardt's campaign in 2003]]
Throughout early 2003, Gephardt was ahead in polling for the [[Iowa Democratic caucuses, 2004|Iowa caucus]], but by August Dean had taken the lead, his campaign fueled by antiwar activists. The Gephardt campaign was embarrassed by an early August ''[[St Louis Post-Dispatch]]'' article that revealed that 11 of the 33 "Gephardt team leaders" listed on his Iowa campaign's website actually supported other candidates or were neutral.

The race between Gephardt and Dean became negative, and took an ugly turn in October when a Gephardt staffer reportedly pushed a Dean staffer out of a meeting while calling him a "[[Faggot (slang)|faggot]]".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bostonphoenix.com/boston/news_features/dont_quote_me/documents/03301021.asp |title=An unlikely bigfoot |author-last1=Kennedy|author-first1=Dan|work=Boston Phoenix |access-date=2009-08-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100202074648/http://bostonphoenix.com/boston/news_features/dont_quote_me/documents/03301021.asp |archive-date=2010-02-02}}</ref> Many press at the event claimed the Dean staffer was picking a fight and that the Gephardt staffer did not make the hurtful comment. Dean chairman [[Joe Trippi]] (who worked for Gephardt in 1988) and Gephardt chairman Steve Murphy became involved in a war of words over the incident, as well as Murphy's allegation that the Dean campaign was bringing in out-of-state non-residents to participate in the caucus. In the final days of the Iowa campaign, both Dean and Gephardt faded, and they finished third and fourth, respectively. Gephardt ended his presidential campaign after that disappointing result.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A33367-2004Jan20.html|newspaper=Washington Post|title=Gephardt Ends Bid for White House|date=21 January 2004|access-date=5 November 2015|archive-date=July 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170711132941/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A33367-2004Jan20.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

After he dropped out of the presidential race, Gephardt was mentioned as a possible running mate for [[John Kerry]]. On March 7, 2004, [[New Mexico]] Governor [[Bill Richardson (politician)|Bill Richardson]], also seen as a strong contender for the position, endorsed Gephardt for Vice President. Richardson said of Gephardt in an interview with the [[Associated Press]], "I think he's the best candidate. There's a good regional balance with Kerry and Gephardt." Kerry announced on July 6, 2004, that he had chosen [[John Edwards]] as his running mate. On the same day, the ''[[New York Post]]'' published a headline stating that Gephardt had become Kerry's running mate. The headline was compared to the 1948 "[[Dewey defeats Truman]]" headline in the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' that incorrectly reported the presidential election results that year. In 2007, it was revealed in Kerry campaign adviser [[Bob Shrum]]'s book ''No Excuses: Concessions of a Serial Campaigner'' that Kerry wanted to choose Gephardt but was convinced by Shrum and others to choose Edwards.

{{Endorsements box
| width = 50em
| title = Dick Gephardt 2004 presidential campaign endorsements
| list = 
'''Senators'''

* Former Senator [[Jean Carnahan]] of [[Missouri]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=5631 |title=MO US President - D Primary Race - Feb 3, 2004 |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=2009-08-23 |archive-date=January 16, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116013700/http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=5631 |url-status=live }}</ref>

'''Representatives'''

* [[House Minority Leader]] [[Nancy Pelosi]] of California<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=6020 |title=CA US President - D Primary Race - Mar 2, 2004 |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=2009-08-23 |archive-date=January 16, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116013703/http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=6020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[House Minority Whip]] [[Steny Hoyer]] of [[Maryland]]<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=http://www.politics1.com/gephardt.htm |title=Profile of Rep. Richard Gephardt (D-MO) |publisher=Politics1 |access-date=2009-08-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080422175058/http://politics1.com/gephardt.htm |archive-date=April 22, 2008}}</ref>
* Former House Majority and Minority Whip [[David Bonior]] of [[Michigan]]<ref name="autogenerated1" />
* Representative [[Rob Andrews]] of [[New Jersey]]<ref name="autogenerated1" />
* Representative [[Howard Berman]] of California<ref name="autogenerated1" />
* Representative [[Sherrod Brown]] of [[Ohio]]<ref name="autogenerated1" />
* Representative [[Lois Capps]] of California<ref name="autogenerated1" />
* Representative [[Ben Cardin]] of [[Maryland]]<ref name="autogenerated1" />
* Representative [[Jerry Costello]] of [[Illinois]]<ref name="autogenerated1" />
* Representative [[Jim Clyburn]] of [[South Carolina]]<ref name="autogenerated1" />
* Representative [[Chet Edwards]] of [[Texas]]<ref name="autogenerated1" />
* Representative [[Lane Evans]] of [[Illinois]]<ref name="autogenerated1" />
* Representative [[Bart Gordon]] of [[Tennessee]]<ref name="autogenerated1" />
* Representative [[Gene Green]] of [[Texas]]<ref name="autogenerated1" />
* Representative [[Joe Hoeffel]] of [[Pennsylvania]]<ref name="autogenerated1" />
* Representative [[Tim Holden]] of [[Pennsylvania]]<ref name="autogenerated1" />
* Representative [[Patrick J. Kennedy]] of [[Rhode Island]]<ref name="autogenerated1" />
* Representative [[Jim Langevin]] of [[Rhode Island]]<ref name="autogenerated1" />
* Representative [[Nita Lowey]] of New York<ref name="autogenerated1" />
* Representative [[Robert Matsui]] of California<ref name="autogenerated1" />
* Representative [[Karen McCarthy]] of [[Missouri]]<ref name="autogenerated1" />
* Representative [[Mike McNulty]] of New York<ref name="autogenerated1" />
* Representative [[Jack Murtha]] of [[Pennsylvania]]<ref name="autogenerated1" />
* Representative [[Dave Obey]] of [[Wisconsin]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=1926 |title=Candidate - David R. Obey |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=2009-08-23}}</ref>
* Representative [[Ed Pastor]] of [[Arizona]]<ref name="autogenerated1" />
* Representative [[Silvestre Reyes]] of [[Texas]]<ref name="autogenerated1" />
* Representative [[Dutch Ruppersberger]] of [[Maryland]]<ref name="autogenerated1" />
* Representative [[Max Sandlin]] of [[Texas]]<ref name="autogenerated1" />
* Representative [[Ike Skelton]] of [[Missouri]]<ref name="autogenerated1" />
* Representative [[John Spratt]] of [[South Carolina]]<ref name="autogenerated1" />
* Representative [[John S. Tanner|John Tanner]] of [[Tennessee]]<ref name="autogenerated1" />
* Former Representative [[Norman D'Amours]] of [[New Hampshire]]<ref name="autogenerated1" />
* Former Representative [[Butler Derrick]] of [[South Carolina]]<ref name="autogenerated1" />
* Former Representative [[Ed Feighan]] of [[Ohio]]<ref name="autogenerated1" />

'''Governors and Lt. Governors'''

* Former [[Governor of South Carolina|Governor]] [[Robert Evander McNair]] of [[South Carolina]]<ref name="autogenerated1" />
* Former [[Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma|Lieutenant Governor]] [[Robert S. Kerr III|Bob Kerr III]] of [[Oklahoma]]<ref name="autogenerated1" />

'''State Legislatures leaders'''
* [[New Hampshire House of Representatives]] Minority Leader [[Peter Burling (politician)|Peter Burling]]<ref name="autogenerated1" />
* [[Rhode Island House of Representatives]] Majority Leader [[Gordon Fox]]<ref name="autogenerated1" />

'''Organizations'''

*  South Carolina Conference of Black Mayors
* American Maritime Officers
* International Association of Machinists
* International Brotherhood of Teamsters
* International Iron Workers Union
* International Longshoremen's Association
* International Union of Bricklayers
* Seafarer's International Union
* Transportation Workers Union

}}

==Political views==
After his election to the U.S. House in 1976, Gephardt's political views gradually moved to the left. Originally, Gephardt was strongly [[anti-abortion]] and was viewed as a [[Social conservatism in the United States|social conservative]]. He was initially extremely critical of the [[U.S. Supreme Court]] landmark ''[[Roe v. Wade]]'' ruling that legalized abortion. He wrote on the subject in 1984:
{{blockquote|Life is the division of human [[cell (biology)|cells]], a process that begins with [[Conception (biology)|conception]]. The ([[Supreme Court of the United States|Supreme Court's]] abortion) ruling was unjust, and it is incumbent on the Congress to correct the injustice... I have always been supportive of pro-life legislation. I intend to remain steadfast on this issue.... I believe that the life of the unborn should be protected at all costs.<ref>[[William Saletan|Saletan, William]] and Zenilman, Avi. [http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/ballot_box/2003/09/the_flipflops_of_dick_gephardt.html The Flip-Flops of Dick Gephardt] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816230945/http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/ballot_box/2003/09/the_flipflops_of_dick_gephardt.html |date=August 16, 2018 }}, ''[[Slate.com]]'' (2003-09-15)</ref>}}

In 1987, when Gephardt decided to run for president, he announced that he would no longer support legislation to restrict abortion rights. He told the [[National Right to Life Committee]]; "I now do not support any [[Human Life Amendment|Constitutional amendment]] pertaining to the legality of abortion." Gephardt's views on economic policy also changed over the years. He voted for [[Ronald Reagan]]'s [[tax cuts]] in 1981; in the 2000s, he became a staunch opponent of similar tax cuts by President [[George W. Bush]], saying that the enormous surplus created during the administration of [[Bill Clinton]] should have been spent on health care instead. Gephardt is widely viewed as an economic [[populist]]. He supports universal health coverage, [[fair trade]], and [[progressive taxation]]. Although he once chaired the centrist [[Democratic Leadership Council]], Gephardt in his later years in Congress distanced himself from the organization, finding his pro-labor views at odds with the DLC's pro-business positions.

On October 10, 2002, Gephardt was among the 81 House Democrats who voted in favor of authorizing the [[2003 invasion of Iraq|invasion of Iraq]].<ref>{{cite journal|title=House of Representatives|date=October 10, 2002|journal=[[Congressional Record]]|publisher=[[United States Government Publishing Office]]|volume=148|issue=133|page=H7799|url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CREC-2002-10-10/pdf/CREC-2002-10-10-house.pdf|access-date=August 24, 2025}}</ref> He was an early supporter of the war, and cosponsor of the authorization resolution. However, three years later Gephardt said of his support for the war that "It was a mistake ... I was wrong."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thenexthurrah.typepad.com/the_next_hurrah/2005/10/gephardt_on_ira.html |title=The Next Hurrah: Gephardt on Iraq: "I was wrong" |publisher=Thenexthurrah.typepad.com |date=2005-10-17 |access-date=2009-08-23 |archive-date=May 11, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511074644/http://thenexthurrah.typepad.com/the_next_hurrah/2005/10/gephardt_on_ira.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Post-congressional career==
{{update|date=December 2021}}
[[File:Transportation Policy Conference (5839359479).jpg|thumb|Gephardt speaking in 2009]]
On January 3, 2005, Gephardt's three-decade political career ended with the expiration of his 14th term in the House of Representatives. That month, Gephardt started a consulting and lobbying firm, Gephardt Group, of which he is president and CEO.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gephardtgroup.com/ |title=Gephardt Group (2008) |publisher=Gephardt Group |access-date=2010-05-24 |archive-date=February 7, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207134452/http://gephardtgroup.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Gephardt also joined the international law firm [[DLA Piper]] as strategic advisor in the government affairs practice group from June 2005 to December 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/richard-gephardt/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130708145953/http://www.forbes.com/profile/richard-gephardt/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 8, 2013|website=[[Forbes]] |title=Richard Gephardt - Forbes }}</ref>

In his new role as a Washington lobbyist, Gephardt, on behalf of the Republic of Turkey, has been actively lobbying against the House resolution condemning the [[Armenian genocide]] of 1915 in the Ottoman Empire. While supportive of the resolution while in Congress, he now contends that facts need to be better known before any position is taken on this historical controversy.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.armeniapedia.org/index.php?title=K_Street_Cashes_In_On_The_1915_Armenian_Genocide |title=The New Republic |publisher=Armeniapedia.org |access-date=2009-08-23 |archive-date=October 12, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012132424/http://armeniapedia.org/index.php?title=K_Street_Cashes_In_On_The_1915_Armenian_Genocide |url-status=live }}</ref> Gephardt served on the board of directors of the [[Embarq Corporation]] from June 2007<ref>{{cite web|url=http://investors.embarq.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=197829&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1018876&highlight= |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714235714/http://investors.embarq.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=197829&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1018876&highlight= |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-07-14 |title=News Release &#124; EMBARQ |publisher=Investors.embarq.com |date=2007-07-01 |access-date=2009-08-23 }}</ref> to July 1, 2009, when he became a member of the board of directors of [[CenturyLink]], Embarq's successor corporation.<ref name="CenturyLink">[http://www.centurylink.com/aboutus/governance/board.html About Us: Directors] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503073850/http://www.centurylink.com/aboutus/governance/board.html |date=May 3, 2016 }}, CenturyLink (accessed February 14, 2016).</ref> Gephardt also serves as a director of [[Centene Corporation]], [[Ford Motor Company]], [[Spirit Aerosystems Holdings, Inc.]], and [[United States Steel Corporation]].<ref name="CenturyLink" /> He joined Ford's board in 2009.<ref>{{cite news |work=New York Times |date=May 1, 2010 |title=What Does Dick Gephardt Know About Management? |author=Jack Stack |url=http://boss.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/01/why-dick-gephardt/ |access-date=January 17, 2011 |archive-date=October 9, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009160824/http://boss.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/01/why-dick-gephardt/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In July 2007, Gephardt endorsed [[Hillary Clinton]] [[Hillary Clinton presidential campaign, 2008|for president]], leading some to speculate that he was interested in running for vice president in 2008. [[DLA Piper]] become a major donor to Clinton's campaign, donating about $190,000.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-jul-17-na-hillary17-story.html |title=He backs Clinton; her backers help him |work=Los Angeles Times |date=2007-07-17 |access-date=5 November 2015 |first=Dan |last=Morain |archive-date=May 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240527222354/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-jul-17-na-hillary17-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Gephardt was mentioned during the summer of 2008 as a possible vice-presidential choice for eventual nominee Senator [[Barack Obama]]. A collection of Gephardt's congressional documents, dating from 1994 to 2004, was processed from 2006 to 2007 by the [[Missouri Historical Society]] for academic use, with a grant through the [[Institute of Museum and Library Services]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.earmarks.omb.gov/resources/citations/citation_21.pdf |title=Earmarks |publisher=Earmarks.omb.gov |date=2010-04-13 |access-date=2010-05-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327130142/http://www.earmarks.omb.gov/resources/citations/citation_21.pdf |archive-date=2009-03-27 }}</ref> In 2005, [[Washington University in St. Louis]] inaugurated the Richard A. Gephardt Institute of Public Service (now the [[Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement]]), which educates students for life-long engaged citizenship and civic leadership.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-08-17 |title=About the Gephardt Institute |url=https://gephardtinstitute.wustl.edu/about/ |access-date=2023-02-14 |website=Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement |language=en-US}}</ref> Since 2005, Gephardt has been a consultant to [[Goldman Sachs]] and [[DLA Piper]].<ref name="Forbes" /> Since 2007 he has been a consultant to [[FTI Consulting]].<ref name="Forbes" />

In 2007, Gephardt began serving on the advisory board of the Extend Health insurance company, and then became a member of its board of directors. In 2009, Gephardt advised [[UnitedHealth Group]], one of America's largest private insurers, in waging a strong campaign against a public option for national health care.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thenation.com/doc/20091019/jones/single |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120913215053/http://www.thenation.com/doc/20091019/jones/single |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 13, 2012 |title=The Nation Magazine |publisher=The Nation Company, L.P. |date=September 30, 2009 |access-date=October 13, 2009}}</ref> In 2010, Gephardt was elected chair of the Board of Trustees of [[The Scripps Research Institute]], a nonprofit institute focusing on biomedical research.<ref>"Business Executive and Former U.S. House Leader Richard A. Gephardt Elected to Lead Scripps Research Institute Board of Trustees" {{cite web|url=http://www.scripps.edu/newsandviews/e_20100222/trustees.html |title=TSRI - News & Views, Business Executive and Former U.S. House Leader Richard A. Gephardt Elected to Lead Scripps Research Institute Board of Trustees |access-date=2012-12-27 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305012234/http://www.scripps.edu/newsandviews/e_20100222/trustees.html |archive-date=2016-03-05 }}</ref>

[[File:LBJ Foundation and More Perfect hosted a two-day conference, Trust News Democracy at the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum on 10 April 2024 - DIG15200jjg-008 (53656050628).jpg|thumb|left|Gephardt at the [[LBJ Presidential Library]] in 2024]]
Gephardt has been significantly involved with the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. In addition to a large lobbying contract with the Medicines Company,<ref>{{cite news |work=Huffington Post |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/24/gephardt-the-public-optio_n_298353.html |date=September 24, 2009 |title=Gephardt: The Public Option Is "Not Essential," Trigger Could Work |author=Sam Stein |access-date=February 18, 2020 |archive-date=September 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160918054910/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/24/gephardt-the-public-optio_n_298353.html |url-status=live }}</ref> he serves as chair of the Council for American Medical Innovation (CAMI), formed by and affiliated with [[PhRMA]]. In this capacity he hired his own firm to lobby for the organization, to push to extend patents and block [[generic drugs]] from the market.<ref name="Spectacular">{{cite news |work=The Nation magazine |url=http://www.thenation.com/article/dick-gephardts-spectacular-sellout |title=Dick Gephardt's Spectacular Sellout |date=October 19, 2009 |author=Sebastian Jones |access-date=January 17, 2011 |archive-date=March 27, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110327125530/http://www.thenation.com/article/dick-gephardts-spectacular-sellout |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2016, Gephardt also co-founded a [[Direct primary care]] group called [https://solidaritus.net/ SolidaritUS Health], with the goal of increasing the accessibility of quality healthcare to working families.

Gephardt has also served as a [[lobbyist]] for [[Boeing]].<ref>Carney, Timothy (2011-02-24) [https://archive.today/20120614054114/http://washingtonexaminer.com/blogs/beltway-confidential/2011/02/who-were-boeings-lobbyists Who were Boeing's lobbyists?], ''[[Washington Examiner]]''</ref> He is a labor consultant for Spirit Aerosystems and sits on its board of directors.<ref name="spiritaero_pr">[http://www.spiritaero.com/plain.aspx?width=800&height=550&header=0&id=909 "Richard A. Gephardt Joins Onex Team"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003012219/http://www.spiritaero.com/plain.aspx?width=800&height=550&header=0&id=909 |date=October 3, 2011 }}, Spirit Aero news release 2005-04-29 (PDF)</ref> In these roles, Gephardt has presided over an aggressive anti-union campaign that has bewildered many of his traditional political allies. In July 2011, Spirit Aerosystems walked out of negotiations with the union that represents its engineering, technical and professional workforce.<ref name="SPEEA">[http://www.speea.org SPEEA]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027180521/http://www.speea.org/ |date=October 27, 2016 }}, SPEEA</ref> The union subsequently voted down the company's last contract offer, with 96.5% voting no. The company did not change its contract offer significantly after this rejection and relations with its workforce have been contentious ever since. With negotiations at a standstill, production schedules for 2011 and 2012 were threatened.<ref name="Wichita Eagle">[http://www.kansas.com/2011/07/28/1952949/speea-members-reject-spirit-contract.html SPEEA Members Reject Spirit Contract Offer] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926032230/http://www.kansas.com/2011/07/28/1952949/speea-members-reject-spirit-contract.html |date=September 26, 2013 }}, Wichita Eagle</ref><ref name="Wichita Business Journal">[http://www.bizjournals.com/wichita/blog/2011/09/spirit-disputes-speea-work-to-rule.html Work To Rule At Spirit Disputed ] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016224121/http://www.bizjournals.com/wichita/blog/2011/09/spirit-disputes-speea-work-to-rule.html |date=October 16, 2015 }}, Wichita Business Journal</ref> Around mid-2023 Spirit Aerosystems agreed to a new contract with its workers at the Wichita, Kansas plant. Key provisions in the contract include increased pay, workers being allowed to keep their current health plans, and removal of mandatory overtime requirements.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Insinna |first=Valerie |date=2023-06-30 |title=Spirit AeroSystems union workforce approves new contract, ending strike at Kansas plant |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/spirit-aerosystems-union-workforce-approves-new-contract-ending-strike-kansas-2023-06-30/ |access-date=2023-07-23}}</ref>

In October 2022, Gephardt, along with Republican former Massachusetts [[Kerry Healey|Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey]], launched the Council for Responsible Social Media, a project of nonprofit organization Issue One, which he had already been involved with as a member of its ReFormers Caucus. Gephardt and Healey serve as co-chairs of the project, which focuses on addressing the harmful influence social media can have on children, communities, and national security.<ref name="cnbc2022">{{cite web |last=Feiner |first=Lauren |title=New bipartisan council will focus on tackling harms of social media |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/10/12/council-for-responsible-social-media-features-haugen-gephardt-hagel-.html |website=CNBC |date=October 12, 2022 |access-date=September 20, 2024 |archive-date=September 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240926212522/https://www.cnbc.com/2022/10/12/council-for-responsible-social-media-features-haugen-gephardt-hagel-.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In May 2024, Gephardt gave the commencement address and received an honorary degree at [[Iona University]] in [[New Rochelle, New York]].<ref>{{cite news|url = https://www.iona.edu/news/richard-gephardt-former-us-house-majority-leader-deliver-iona-university-commencement-keynote|title = Richard Gephardt, Former U.S. House Majority Leader, to Deliver Iona University Commencement Keynote|website = [[Iona University]]|date = April 4, 2024|accessdate = November 19, 2025}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==See further==
*[[Electoral history of Dick Gephardt]]

==External links==
{{CongLinks|congbio=G000132}}
*[http://www.gephardtinstitute.wustl.edu/index.htm Richard A. Gephardt Institute for Public Service] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070110120703/http://www.gephardtinstitute.wustl.edu/index.htm |date=2007-01-10 }} at [[Washington University in St. Louis]]
*{{C-SPAN|158}}
**[https://www.c-span.org/video/?151235-1/even-better-place ''Booknotes'' interview with Gephardt on ''An Even Better Place: America in the 21st Century'', August 1, 1999.]

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{{United States presidential election candidates, 2004}}
{{United States presidential election, 1992}}
{{United States presidential election candidates, 1988}}
{{United States representatives from Missouri}}
{{Democratic Party (United States)}}
{{USCongRep-start |congresses=95th–108th [[United States Congress]] |state=[[United States congressional delegations from Missouri|Missouri]]}}
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{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gephardt, Dick}}
[[Category:1941 births]]
[[Category:20th-century United States representatives]]
[[Category:American people of German descent]]
[[Category:Baptists from Missouri]]
[[Category:Candidates in the 1988 United States presidential election]]
[[Category:Candidates in the 2004 United States presidential election]]
[[Category:Democratic Party United States representatives from Missouri]]
[[Category:Goldman Sachs people]]
[[Category:Lawyers from St. Louis]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Majority leaders of the United States House of Representatives]]
[[Category:Members of the United States Congress who became lobbyists]]
[[Category:Members of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen]]
[[Category:Minority leaders of the United States House of Representatives]]
[[Category:Missouri National Guard personnel]]
[[Category:Northwestern University School of Communication alumni]]
[[Category:Politicians from St. Louis]]
[[Category:University of Michigan Law School alumni]]