REP. RICHARD ANDREW GEPHARDT

Born: Jan. 31, 1941, St. Louis, Mo.

Parents: Loreen Estelle Cassell Gephardt, a retired secretary, and the late Louis Andrew Gephardt, a milk-truck driver.

Education: Northwestern University, B.S., 1962; University of Michigan, J.D., 1965.

Military Career: Air National Guard, 1965-71.

Occupation: Lawyer.

Family: Wife, Jane Ann Byrnes; three children.

Religion: Baptist.

Political Career: St. Louis Board of Aldermen, 1971-76; first elected to U.S. House of Representatives, 1976; reelected in 1986 with 69% of vote.

Accomplishments: A key originator of tax-overhaul bill that passed Congress last year. Co-founder and chairman of Democratic Leadership Council, a group of Democrats trying to steer party back to political center. Chairman of House Democratic Caucus.

Positions: Favors trade protection, opposes aid to Nicaraguan contras, favors a freeze on nuclear weapons, opposes forced busing, opposes abortion (though recently switched to opposing constitutional ban on abortion), favors more education aid, opposes further controls on firearms.