Former state Rep. Joan Barry, a south county Democrat, earlier this week planned to launch her campaign for the 3rd Con-gressional District seat held by U.S. Rep. Richard Gephardt, D-south county.

Barry planned to formally announce her candidacy at the Plumbers/Pipefitters No. 562 Hall on Elizabeth Avenue Sunday af-ternoon — just before the Call’s press dead-line.

A news release stated Barry would outline the issues and goals of her campaign for the 3rd Congressional District seat.

Gephardt is seeking the Democratic nomination for the presidency.

Barry’s decision to seek the seat comes after the successful formation of an ex-ploratory committee. She received encouragement and support from numerous civic, business and civic leaders as well as district residents, according to the release.

Barry first was elected to the Missouri House in February 1996. Term limits kept the former representative from seeking another term in the House.

While serving in the Missouri House, Barry chaired the Children, Families and Health Committee. She also served on the committee for Elementary and Secondary Education, among several others.

She served as Majority Caucus secretary in the House leadership and as regional director of the National Order of Women Legislators.

As a member of the Missouri House, she sponsored numerous bills dealing with ed-ucation, law enforcement, home health agencies, domestic vi-olence, foster care and crime.

For her work, Barry has been recognized by various organizations, including the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association and Cardinal Glennon Child-ren’s Hospital. she is a registered nurse and a member of the Missouri Nurses Associa-tion. Barry serves as board president of the Nurses for Newborns Foundation and is a board member for the March of Dimes.

She also is a member of the Parents as Teachers Advisory Committee, the South County Chamber of Commerce and the Oakville Lions Club. Barry is married to Phil Barry and the mother of four children and grandmother to six.

State Sen. Steve Stoll has announced his intention to seek the Democratic nod for the 3rd Congressional District seat, while state Rep. Russ Carnahan is exploring whether to seek the Democratic nomination.