Ann Arbor man wants to prevent John Dingell from seeing a 30th term in Congress

AnnArbor.com ^ | 5-7-2012 | Ryan Stanton

[Darren McCarty]

25-year-old Ann Arbor man is challenging U.S. Rep. John Dingell for his seat, claiming the long-time congressman isn't progressive enough.

Daniel Marcin, who is pursuing a doctorate in economics at the University of Michigan, filed nearly 1,800 petition signatures with the state on Monday to appear on the ballot.

Running as a Democrat, he'll face Dingell, D-Dearborn, in the Aug. 7 primary, competing in Southeast Michigan's newly drawn 12th District.

"I'm definitely to that guy's left," Marcin said of Dingell, attacking the 85-year-old congressman's record on environmental issues, same-sex marriage and tax policy.

"John Dingell acts like he's Mr. Senior Congressman," Marcin said. "If that's the case, he's going to have to own it. So anything that hasn't gotten done, I'm going to blame him for."

Dingell, who has been in Congress since 1955, currently represents Michigan's 15th District, but redistricting since the last election changed the state's districts.

.....

Marcin describes himself as an economist and an environmentalist. He considers himself more liberal than Dingell, but he said he'd still like to privatize the postal service.

Marcin has been campaigning for weeks, including going door-to-door and using various social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook. On his website, www.No30thTerm.com, he spells out all the reasons why he thinks Dingell's long reign should end.

Marcin said this election isn't about experience or having 29 terms of incumbency, but rather about ideas. He claims Dingell has been an obstruction to addressing climate change, saying "there's been no action on climate change for decades."

Marcin also criticizes Dingell's vote for the Defense of Marriage Act. He wants to repeal the 1996 federal law that defines marriage as the legal union of one man and one woman.

"And if same-sex marriage is a priority, why hasn't he gotten it through yet?" Marcin said. "If he's Mr. Leader, he pretty much sucks at it."

[Darren McCarty]

I'm so glad the redistricting committee didn't put my township in this district. I'm still in Walberg's district. This guy is to Dingell's left! The left of Mr Universal Health Care.

I hope these two beat the tar out of each other.

[seanmerc]

Anyone who’s been in the House for 58 years has been there about 52 years too long. Isn’t 85 just a bit old to be serving in Congress?

[txrefugee]

That greenhorn gay Marxist better watch his back when he messes with that old bull moose Dingell.

[Paladin2]

""If he's Mr. Leader, he pretty much sucks at it.""

I think Waxman kicked his butt a few years back.

[Josa]

At this point Dingell is being served by the taxpayers

[PLD]

This old communist fart needs to go..he is like the other fools that pushed that Obama death insurance through..

[molson209]

Isn’t 85 just a bit old to be serving in Congress?

It Depends LOL

[cripplecreek]

Well past time to pluck the Dingellberry.

[grumpygresh]

To the Left of “it takes time to control the people”. So maybe he wants to put people into camps, I guess that would be more progressive.

[PoloSec]

Sounds like one those districts that has not a single conservative or republican in it, ten to one, that district is about 70% on the government dole, so Dingell would rightly be a failure in liberal assessment.

Dingell can respond to his opponent, with a campaign ad claiming...Dingellberries for all.

[Darren McCarty]

Republicans created it to combine Ann Arbor and the UAW suburbs of Detroit. It’s a 60% democrat district.

[stayathomemom]

Looks like he’s an east coast carpetbagger.

[FrdmLvr]

And he’s an OLD 85!

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks cripplecreek.

[2111USMC]

The Founders have to be just spinning in their graves.

They never intended for people to be lifelong members of Congress.