By AP/KWMU
St. Louis, MO – A candidate for Dick Gephardt's seat in Congress has dropped out of the crowded race.
Democrat Mike Evans, 25, of De Soto, says he doesn't have enough support, so he's endorsing fellow Democrat Jeff Smith. "We must now choose a candidate who will continue to fight for us the way Richard Gephardt has over the past two decades," Evans said about Smith in a message to supporters on his website.
Evans says he's the first openly gay person to run for Congress in Missouri.
Jeff Smith teaches political science at Washington University. He also has the support for former Vermont Governor and Presidential candidate Howard Dean. Evans was one of 13 candidates looking to succeed Gephardt. His withdrawal from the race leaves nine Democrats, two Republicans and a Libertarian.
Evans says he gained support from many gay and lesbian voters but not enough from the larger community. He says he decided to support another progressive candidate.