John Russell "Russ" Carnahan, born July 10, 1958, is a dedicated public servant and the U.S. Representative for Missouri's 3rd congressional district, a position he has held since 2005. As a member of the Democratic Party, Carnahan has been a strong advocate for the constituents of his district.
The 3rd congressional district, which Carnahan represents, encompasses the southern third of the city of St. Louis, commonly referred to as South City, as well as the majority of the surrounding St. Louis suburbs. This includes a significant portion of Jefferson County and all of Ste. Genevieve County. The district is home to various cities, including Webster Groves, Mehlville, Affton, and Oakville, which are part of South St. Louis City, as well as the southern suburbs of Arnold, Herculaneum, Pevely, Crystal City, Barnhart, Imperial, and Festus, and the town of Ste. Genevieve in neighboring Ste. Genevieve County.
In the 2010 Census, St. Louis experienced significant population losses, leading to Missouri losing a Congressional seat, which took effect in 2013. As a result of the Republican-created redistricting plan, Carnahan's 3rd district would primarily be absorbed into Missouri's 1st congressional district. This would place Carnahan and William Lacy Clay, Jr. in the same district, a move that would have significant implications for the political landscape of the region.
