House of Representatives (1976–2003) Early tenure In 1976, Gephardt was elected to Congress from the St. Louis–based 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 bill establishing Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a federal holiday in August 1983 but did not vote on the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987 (or the vote to override President Reagan's veto in March 1988).
HouSE Of rEPReSeNTAtives (1976–2003) earlY TEnUre in 1976, GephardT was Elected to congRess fROM ThE st. lOUiS–baSED 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 bill ESTablIshiNG MaRtIn lUTher king jr. daY as a federAL HoLIdaY In aUGust 1983 But did not vOte oN thE cIvil righTs RestORaTion acT of 1987 (or The vOTe to ovERrIde presideNt REagAn'S veto iN mArch 1988).