Free Republic

Whether he wins or loses his bid for the presidency, Rep. Richard A. Gephardt has decided against running for re-election next year to the U.S. House seat that he's held for 26 years. Although his Washington office declined comment, campaign sources close to Gephardt, D-St. Louis County, confirmed Monday that his next term as the 3rd District's congressman will be his last. On Tuesday, he'll be sworn in to his 14th term, which he won on Nov. 5.

<p>Although the Missouri primary looms, House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt was confident enough about his chances that he spent three days in Florida last week courting Hispanic voters.</p> <p>Not many Hispanics live in Gephardt's 3rd District. But nationally, their growing numbers at ballot boxes could help determine whether Democrats win enough U.S. House seats this fall to fulfill Gephardt's decade-long quest to become speaker.</p>