1996Final results
1996 election for Missouri's 3rd District
U.S. House · Missouri
Richard Gephardt (D) won with 59.0% of the vote, defeating Deborah Lynn "debbie" Wheelehan (R) by 20.2 points.
Richard GephardtDemocrat · winner
59.0%137,300
Deborah Lynn "debbie" WheelehanRepublican
38.8%90,202
Michael H. CristLibertarian
1.7%3,966
James E. KeersemakerNatural Law
0.6%1,287
232,755 votes
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 1996
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
Money in this race
Each line compares the two campaigns on one scale.
Richard GephardtDeborah Lynn "debbie" Wheelehan
$3.3M
Raised by the campaign
$63K
$3.1M
Spent by the campaign
$62.5K
$201.1K
Cash on hand
$994
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1996; FEC, through Nov 25, 1996.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1996
The candidates
Richard Gephardt (D)Deborah Lynn "debbie" Wheelehan (R)
Also on the ballot: Michael H. Crist (Libertarian), 1.7%; James E. Keersemaker (Natural Law), 0.6%