Dingell launches bid for husband's U.S. House seat

Rep. John Dingell, left, and his wife Debbie.

DEARBORN, Mich. — Debbie Dingell has launched her campaign for the U.S. House seat held by her husband during a stop in his southeast Michigan district.

Dingell made it official today in Dearborn. She also has events in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. Eighty-seven-year-old John Dingell says he plans to retire after the longest congressional career in history.

The 60-year-old Debbie Dingell is seeking the Democratic nomination in the 12th Congressional District. Democrats are expected to easily hold the seat.

Republican Terry Bowman plans to run, too. He works at a Ford auto plant, founded the group Union Conservatives and has been a vocal supporter of Michigan’s right-to-work law.

Bowman will officially announce his candidacy next week.

John Dingell was elected to his late father’s seat in 1955 and has held it ever since.