Examiner.com article on Debbie Dingell’s candidacy

I concluded Examiner.com article on Dingell retirement by telling my readers to stay tuned, as “I’m planning on writing an article on the likely candidates to succeed Dingell tomorrow.”  I’ve written it. Here’s the excerpt.

Debbie Dingell, wife of U.S. Rep. John Dingell (D-MI), will likely announce her candidacy for her husband’s seat. Here she is at the luncheon where Dingell announced his retirement.
Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images

Debbie Dingell to announce candidacy for retiring husband’s seat Friday

This afternoon, the Washington Post reported that Debbie Dingell, wife of retiring U.S. Representative John Dingell, plans to announce her candidacy for her husband’s seat in Congress Friday.  The Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, and Ann Arbor News followed up with articles containing details confirming the Post’s report.

Mrs. Dingell would be running for the Democratic nomination for Michigan’s 12th Congressional District, which includes Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and surrounding areas of eastern Washtenaw County along with portions of southern and western Wayne County.  Should she win the seat, she’d be the third Dingell to represent Michigan in Congress, as both her husband and her husband’s late father served in the U.S. House of Representatives with the senior Dingell having first been elected in 1933.

Dingell’s announcement has been expected.  The Detroit Free Press had published yesterday that she would be interested in running for her husband's seat, a move her husband appears to support.  He told the Free Press, “if my wife runs, the lovely Deborah, I will vote for her.”

More at the link, including a Daily Best interview of Debbie Dingell and more on her background and qualifications, along with the likely Democratic challengers.  For some reason, I haven’t been able to find the names of any Republican candidates, although I’m sure there will be at least one.

Speaking of challengers, the most serious potential Democratic rival to Debbie Dingell is Rebekah Warren of Ann Arbor.  Over in the comments section of the Deadline Detroit article on Mrs. Dingell’s potential candidacy, I mentioned that in a conversation with a couple of disgruntled readers.  Follow over the jump for how the back and forth played out.

The first disgruntled reader was Adaj Parr.

Status Quo and stale leadershiip? Or, progressive action fuel by practical ideas and acceptable facts from recorded positive events? We are tired of the the status quo. We'll stay at home if this is the direction.

I decided to reply to the guy who can’t spell.

If that's how you feel, urge Rebekah Warren to challenge Mrs. Dingell in the Democratic primary. Then sign her nominating petition and campaign for her. If she runs and wins, you get your way. If she doesn't run or runs and loses, and you still feel that way, you can vote for the Libertarian candidate in November. The Libertarians *will* run someone. If you don't like that idea, or no one to your liking challenges Dingell in the primary, then talk to the Green Party. They might have a candidate in mind already. If not, who knows, they might nominate you.

I’m quite serious about all that.  I don’t like people staying home on election night, as there are other things on the ballot besides the race they’re not keen on.

My response trolled in Cristóbal Colón.

I would run as Democrat against her ....IF ...The laws were not so slanted toward the "incumbent" and make NO MISTAKE, she is an incumbent. Go read the MI Election laws (if you can) no lunch bucket carrying citizen can run unless as a "write in"....it's financially impossible. You don't just sign a piece of paper and run...oh no, it's starts with a mountain of paperwork and thousands of signature's just to get started.

As a political reporter, I’m quite familiar with the requirements to run for office.  I didn’t tell “Columbus” this.  Instead, I gave him an alternative.

There is a way around those nominating petitions for party candidacy and the even more onerous standards for true independents--run as a candidate of a minor party with ballot access. They nominate their candidates at conventions. Two years ago, the only one to do so against John Dingell was the Libertarian Party, while the Greens, Taxpayers, and Natural Law Parties left their slots vacant. The Libertarians will run a candidate; they run candidates for every single congressional contest. Contact the other three parties, especially the Natural Law Party. I know the state party chair--he's always looking for candidates. Besides, you look like a good fit for them.

“Columbus” had no response, letting me have the last word.  As for saying he’d be a good fit for the Natural Law Party, I meant it.  It was not a compliment.