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.
Will the people of Michigan EVER get tired of electing Dingells?
Can’t anyone wipe away these Dingleberries?
isn’t a dingell the thing you miss from time to time when you wipe your arse?
I’ve never voted for one.
Poster children for Term Limits.
Hey Detroit,
Keep electing horse pooh like Dingell or his old lady cause they’ve done such a damn good job for you all.
MOeRONs
Seems to me the laws need to change about “funds” congress critters have when they retire or die....it should go to the States general funds....not another political endeavor....
How cute ... she can swap facelift stories with Nasty Pelosi.
McCain is going to do the same thing.
Except Cindy McCain is going to flip to Democrat
Corrupt wife to replace corrupt husband
As presidential inaugurations used to be in March, Dingell Sr. would have served several months under Hoover. Wow.
“Debbie Dingell”!!! LMAO
I hate this kind of crap on both sides of the aisle.
Debbie Dingell sounds like something you would find on your ass..
bumper sticker..
81 years between daddy and junior.
The name was changed to Dingell to fit Daddy’s slogan of “Ring in Dingell”
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