Party Official: Debbie Dingell To Seek Husband's Congressional Seat
LANSING (WWJ/AP) - A Democratic official says Debbie Dingell will seek the House seat currently held by her husband, U.S. Rep. John Dingell, who announced plans to retire on Monday.
It's not much of a surprise to many, as the 60-year-old was widely expected to go after the vacant seat.
That seat has been in the family since John Dingell took over his late father's seat in 1955, and has held it ever since.
The 87-year-old lawmaker announced plans yesterday to retire after the longest congressional career in history.
"I had a source tell me this morning, quote, 'She has a clear path towards the nomination and perhaps the job itself'," WWJ's Lansing Bureau Chief Tim Skubick reported just one day ago.
" ... I don't think it's a walk through the park for her, but she certainly would start out with the right name," Skubick said. "Whether she wins it, of course, the voters would have to decide that."
Debbie Dingell is one of Michigan's longtime representatives on the Democratic National Committee and a former president of the General Motors Foundation.
She's expected to make a formal announcement about her run on Friday.
John Dingell told reporters on Monday that if Debbie did decide to run, he would support her. He played a key role in some of the biggest liberal legislative victories of the past 60 years.
TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
