It's a crowded race for Dick Gephardt's congressional seat

ST. LOUIS -- Voters in Missouri's 3rd District are in for a big change, but not until they do some homework.

For half a century, the seat has been the hallmark of constancy, held by retiring Rep. Dick Gephardt since 1977, and Rep. Leonor K. Sullivan from 1953 to 1977. Now, the seat is wide open.

By the Aug. 3 primary, careful voters will have to sift through the Web sites and campaign materials of 13 candidates -- 10 Democratic, two Republican, one Libertarian -- who run the conservative-to-liberal gamut and reflect the district's diversity. The district covers parts of St. Louis city, St. Louis and Ste. Genevieve counties and all of Jefferson County.

Though the district is mostly Democratic, its "ideology is across the board," said Democratic candidate Corey Mohn, an urban planning consultant and self-described progressive.

"You have your Green Party types in the city and St. Louis County, then you have your blue-collar, union guy, who is also pro-life and wants his gun. It's a unique district" and challenging to represent, Mohn said.

Democratic candidates with one or both key ingredients include university lecturer Jeff Smith of St. Louis, who helped direct Bill Bradley's 2000 presidential campaign in Iowa, and who has been endorsed by former presidential contender Howard Dean. He's running a strong grass roots campaign and a packed schedule that includes a bike trek through the district and outreach to St. Louis' substantial Bosnian population.

But other Democrats' qualifications may not matter, said Ken Warren, pollster and Saint Louis University political science professor. That's because there's a Carnahan running, and that name is the 800-pound gorilla in Missouri Democratic politics.

"It's all over," he said. "There's a lot of money on (state Rep. Russ) Carnahan. ... He's ahead 20 points."

Warren said Carnahan's campaign chest and name recognition are an unbeatable combination. Because voters are unaware of the candidates and their issues, most will vote the name they're comfortable with -- in this case, Carnahan, Warren said.

Other higher-profile Democratic candidates include these current or former public officeholders:

Stoll, of Festus, who has chaired committees in both houses of the Legislature, and who says his teaching and public service accomplishments would mean a fast start in Washington.

Former Rep. Joan Barry of St. Louis County, a 30-year obstetrics nurse, who lost her House seat to term limits. Barry, who chaired the Children, Family and Health committee, says health care is her passion. She sponsored the abandoned baby bill in 2002.

Former Rep. Jo Ann Karll, of High Ridge, who resigned her second House term in 1993 to accept an appointment as state director of the division of worker's compensation, and later, as an administrative law judge.

St. Louis Circuit Clerk Mariano Favazza, who says he wants to correct what he calls bad public policy that has eroded jobs, manufacturing and health care.

Carnahan is in his fourth year as legislator but has spent a lifetime in a highly visible Missouri political family. He is the son of the late Gov. Mel Carnahan and former U.S. Sen. Jean Carnahan, and the grandson of A.S.J. Carnahan, former 8th District congressman and the first U.S. ambassador to Sierra Leone.

He called this moment a "historic turnover" in the 3rd District and bristled at claims he was not up to the job. He said he's not running on the family name but will earn his stature in Congress "the old-fashioned way."

In the House, Carnahan co-sponsored the women's health initiative and handled the governor's bill to expand the crime victims' compensation fund.

Not as well known on the Democratic ticket are Mark Smith, a Washington University School of Law associate dean of students; Mike Evans of DeSoto, a populist candidate who, at 25, already has launched a business, served in the military and worked on two presidential campaigns; and Michael Bram, of St. Louis County, a chef and organic farmer.

Running as a Libertarian is Kevin Babcock of St. Louis, a casualty of American Airlines' mass layoffs, who's now seeking a degree in management.

Two Republicans will face off in the primary.

Joan McGivney is a former Webster Groves city councilman and school board member who describes herself as fiscally conservative and moderate on social issues.

Bill Federer, of St. Louis County, lost to Gephardt in 1998 and 2000. Federer's endorsements include celebrities Pat Boone, Chuck Norris, Art Linkletter, conservative activist Phyllis Schlafly and former U.S. Attorney General Edwin Meese.

Terry Jones, political science professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, said that whoever wins the Democratic primary will be the odds-on favorite to win in November, and will remain a heavy favorite to be re-elected time and again.