Posted on 02/25/2014 1:23:09 PM PST by Second Amendment First
The Dingell dynasty dates back to the era of FDR and there’s very little that can stop it from rolling on.
Rep. John Dingell announced Monday he’s leaving the seat he took over from his father nearly six decades ago. And now his wife, Debbie Dingell, is planning to announce in the district Friday her candidacy for the open seat, according to a source close to Dingell.
Dingell wasted no time putting together a campaign apparatus Monday, holding a conference call last night with her husband’s former aides.
She also may sever ties with the American Automotive Policy Council where she has lead the manufacturing arm of the Big Three-backed trade group, according to a source familiar with the situation.
Debbie Dingell has a set of huge advantages over nearly any challenger for the Michigan seat: she will be able to tap into the powerful Dingell Machine, her husband’s campaign coffers and a vast network of political operatives and donors.
And she’s already got the support of powerful Wolverine State figures like retiring Sen. Carl Levin.
“She’d be a fabulous congresswoman but those are such personal decisions,” said Levin, who didn’t know if others might challenge her for the seat. “She would be a very, very strong candidate. She’d be a really wonderful congresswoman too.”
Political observers in Michigan and D.C. say she’d be the favorite to win the seat that’s been held continuously by John D. Dingell Sr. and John D. Dingell Jr. since the year FDR entered the White House.
“She knows the district and the people very well,” said Dennis Fitzgibbons, former chief of staff to Rep. Dingell when he chaired the Energy and Commerce Committee. “She has a familiarity with the issues that are important and in play in the district and has been a public figure for a fair amount of time in Michigan, generally.”
She’s also expected to get the support of powerful political operations like EMILY’s List once she officially enters the race, according to someone close to her. EMILY’s List has not officially weighed in the Michigan 12 race.
While Dingell had flirted with running for retiring Sen. Carl Levin’s seat, several Dingell insiders said this time is different.
“She’s much more serious,” said one former senior Dingell aide.
Dingell must collect at least 1,000 signatures by April 22 to appear on the Aug. 5 ballot. Some Dingell supporters expect she’ll clear the primary when she announces, but other Democrats, including Ann Arbor State Sen. Rebekah Warren and Taylor State Sen. Hoon Yung Hopgood, have also been mentioned as potential candidates.
If she’s challenged, Dingell will surely face political attacks that it is time for new blood to represent the district. Rep. Dingell has had similar criticisms launched at it over the years.
Dingell also is known for not being afraid to throw elbows, which could come up on the campaign trail.
While her husband wielded the gavel on the powerful Energy and Commerce Commitee, Debbie Dingell was making a name for herself in business, political and charity circles inside the Beltway and in Wolverine State.
She currently serves as chairwoman of the Wayne State University Board of Governors and has long been one of Michigan’s representatives on the Democratic National Committee. Dingell was a leading force in moving up Michigan’s 2008 primary — defying the national party. She also held senior roles on Al Gore and John Kerry’s presidential campaigns.
A descendent of one of GM’s founding Fisher Brothers, she served in executive roles with General Motors for more than three decades, finally leaving in 2009 as vice chairman of the General Motors Foundation and executive director of public affairs and community relations for GM. She later founded consulting firm D2 Strategies.
Dingell has also been fierce protector of her husband on Capitol Hill, and has regularly engaged involved in his political battles. Dingell played a major role behind the scenes in 2008 trying to defend Dingell’s gavel when Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) successfully challenged him.
While her husband’s legions of former staffers are well-known, Dingell has also created her own political network and has a history of working with Republicans. She is close to Abby Blunt, a top lobbyist at Altria and wife of Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.). She’s also developed a strong women network — hosting a holiday luncheon of about 250 women, a virtual who’s who of powerful women and wives of powerful men, according to an attendee.
I don’t have a vote in this one but I will send a few bucks to Terry Bowman.
Sorry bro but the people of Michigan don't have any say so in the election of the Dingells.......
Dingell is a district congressman and his district encompasses libertard Lansing as well as communities heavily vested in UAW employment.......If a challenger should happen to win, I would be happily surprised.
Dingell resigned his position on the Board of Directors of the NRA and then voted for bill Clinton’s AW ban.
NEVER FORGET THAT!
How old is she?
No mention in any media stories.
Born 1954 per Wiki.
Mucho younger than her hubby.
That’s a Halloween shot if I ever saw one!
I’m not sure of her exact age but I keep hearing that she’s 30 years younger than him.
Im guessing at his age the only reason she had in marrying him was that he could lick his eyebrows
That puts her at about 85?
54% of the voters in Michigan voted against America in 2012, so it stands to reason that they will happily support the woman whose husband voted against America numerous times in congress.
Debbie does Dingell is 60.
What is curious is that old man Dingell is retiring because congress has become obnoxious. But he is happy to send her there.
He’s 87, she’s 60.
been married 33 yrs.
She was 2 years old when he was first elected to the House at age 29.
So will she be Dingle the Third or Dingle the Turd
Debbie Dingells? I think I saw some of those right next to the Hostess Twinkies the other day at the grocery. I could be wrong.
Time to get rid of the Ding Dong Dingells.
> Dingell played a major role behind the scenes in 2008 trying to defend Dingell’s gavel when Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) successfully challenged him.
The Michigan version of the Kennedys!
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