Topeka ? Prominent Kansas Democrats talked up retiring U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore’s wife Saturday as a potential successor for him in the state’s 3rd Congressional District.

Stephene Moore was among a handful of candidates or potential congressional candidates to emerge during the Kansas Democratic Party’s annual Washington Days convention. Democrats have at least two potential hopefuls in the neighboring 2nd District, and a state senator is considering a U.S. Senate bid.

Dennis Moore’s decision not to run again had made Democrats’ election prospects gloomier.

He’s held his seat since 1999 by wooing moderate Republicans in the GOP-leaning district in the Kansas City area.

He hinted during a luncheon speech that his wife is considering a run, telling about 400 fellow Democrats, “Stay tuned.”

Stephene Moore, 56, a registered nurse, declined to comment about her plans after Saturday’s luncheon.

Seven Republicans are running for their party’s 3rd District nomination in the Aug. 3 primary.

They include state Rep. Kevin Yoder, of Overland Park, and former state Sen. Nick Jordan, of Shawnee, the GOP’s 2008 nominee.

The only Democrat in the race had been Elizabeth Gallup, a Lake Quivira doctor, who died in early February.

Another Democrat, Overland Park railroad engineer Lee Jones, said he’s considering the race and will announce his decision within a month.

In the 2nd District of eastern Kansas, Democrats have had no potential challenger for freshman Republican Rep. Lynn Jenkins since state Sen. Laura Kelly, of Topeka, dropped her campaign in December. But Cheryl Hudspeth, of Girard, said Saturday that she’s seeking the Democratic nomination. Hudspeth, 56, had worked in banking and economic development but has been taking care of her husband for several years after an auto accident.

Also, Kyle Kessler, a vice president for KVC Behavioral Healthcare, said he’s strongly considering the 2nd District race.