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.
Please run Debbie! We need more nepotism in congress! Only 18 more years and we'll have a century of Dingells in that seat! Michigan voters need more of the same!
this is what is wrong with congress and politicians these days. they think they own these seats. in this case, this should just be renamed the dingell family seat. wake up michigan.
It's a family business.
The father, then the son, now the wife....Maybe he will leave the job in his will.
Can the nation afford another Dingell? Aren't there any fresh faces in Michigan? Maybe someone with common sense who hasn't sold their soul to the DNC? The last thing Michiga,n or the nation, needs is another career politician sucking the life blood out of the country.
So, we go from Mr. Dingbat to Mrs Dingbat.
Go away and no thank you. The people in Michigan have had enough of you and your family. It's time for some new faces.
Dingell's berries don't fall far from their bush. And they're an invasive specie.
Why can't we, in America, get NEW people to run for office...it's all family, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins...and on and on....it's as bad as corporate America where the son or daughter becomes the president after the dad or mom retire....it's keeping it "all in the family" and it's not fair to America!
Just what Michigan needs...another liberal to further destroy its limping economy....
Go for it, Debbie Dingell. Democrats need to take over the House to get things done for this country.
I'd say the Dingell family has had their snout in the public trough. Time to get some fresh ideas and not a meat puppet like her.
They'll vote for her. Party shills don't think. They'll see her party and do as they're programmed.
FIFTY EIGHT YEARS!?!?!? Yet people wonder what is wrong in this country. Wow.
She's got my vote.
Sounds fair to me. This plan will keep the district representative a democrat again. Good luck!
I guess this "possibly considering" is a dingle dangle. If so it'll be done.
please tell me I'm not the only one who has a problem with one family essentially owning a congressional seat since the day it was created.
Noooooooooooo. How about some new fresh ideas.
sure–why not-is the family pet running also???
Is it just me, or does this sound like feudalism?
God help us all.
it's about time..his staff has to wipe dribble from his mouth
I'm sorry but a seat held by a father, then a son, than his wife after all these years? Does anyone else see this as wrong? One family one seat since 1932.
NO! Have they not stolen, wasted, misused and abused enough taxpayer bucks? A thousand times NO! Get a real job lady.
Thats about par. Keep someone JUST LIKE that democrat radical in there baby and keep us spiraling down the toilet. Dont put someone with fresh ideas in there!