Debbie Dingell wants to succeed husband in Congress, source tells CNN
Washington (CNN) - Debbie Dingell plans to run this year for the seat being vacated by her husband, Rep. John Dingell of Michigan, a Democratic strategist with knowledge of the lawmaker’s thinking confirmed to CNN Tuesday.
John Dingell, the longest serving member of Congress in history, announced Monday that he'll retire at the end of the year.
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He has served in the House for 58 years. He was 29 when he was first elected in a special election to serve the remainder of his late father’s term. John Dingell, Sr. had held the seat since its creation in 1932.
There was speculation that Debbie Dingell, the congressman's wife of 38 years and a longtime Democratic National Committee member, would run for her husband's seat.
The Democratic strategist told CNN that Mrs. Dingell's entry into the race would basically clear the field of other major Democrats.
Democrats dominate Michigan's 12th Congressional District, which includes several working class southern suburbs of Detroit known as the "Downriver" area. The district stretches west to include Ann Arbor, home to the University of Michigan.
Dingell grabbed 68% of the vote in his 2012 re-election. And Barack Obama won two-thirds of the vote in the district in the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections.
Dingell has been approached by multiple people in Michigan and Washington about a potential bid.
In addition to her 30-year career at General Motors as a senior executive, Dingell has served on multiple boards of charities and organizations and has chaired several political campaigns, including former Vice President Al Gore's presidential campaign in Michigan.
Wow he was serving in congress, before she was born.
That family has gotten enough money from the tax payer.
NO MORE DINGLE-BERRIES!
I know Debbie from working with her long before she married. She would bring common sense and compassion to the House. I wish her well!
Thank you respectfully ! We understand sir . Its n0t Gorge Washingtons party anymore ? And n0t your nephews i ther .
So what you are saying is that John Dingell has never held a real job......yeah...way to know how the people feel!
In addition to her 30-year career at General Motors as a senior executive,
So she is partially responsible for the real baldly designed cars in the 80's and the gas guzzlers in the 90s ?
Why arn't we still buying Hummers ?
Yea like that is what this country needs. A lifelong career politician to be replaced by the spouse of that career politician. Although she should be well versed in deception, corruption, and thievery.
Does she want to do that rough and tumble game? It won't be the first time.
Do not vote this woman Into office. Her husband should of retired 25 years ago and was a waste of taxpayers money. We need a change in michigan and anyone named dingell is not a part of it
Do you think Mrs. Dingell may have had some influence on GM securing bailout money? It's interesting when the public gets the opportunity to connect some dots.
Leeches. Will the MI wake up? TBD…
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Let's stop with all the family politics in this country. We're allowing a political elite to take control of our nation and have been permitting it for the past 75 years. Let's pass a law that siblings and spouses can't run for national office.
Lets see, run a campaign based on democrat views and recent laws they have passed or just say hey, hubby died and I deserve is his job. SERIOUSLY !
These people are unbelievable ! But we vote for them.
We have the government we want I guess. It's the best money can buy.
What is that with spouses running and taking the seats of their wives and husbands? And children running for the seats "cleared" by their fathers. It's almost like dynasty. And it's far for being the only example for the past 20 years. And then we had the Kennedy's, the entire family in politics. Are we so dumb to reward and elect people because of their family affiliations?
A guaranteed democratic hold.
Where is the news!?
Hodgson
Guess her retirement from GM is not big enough, needs a taxpayer funded pension also.