Longest Serving House Rep. John Dingell To Retire

Congressman John Dingell addresses employees outside the Flat Rock Assembly in Flat Rock, Mich., Monday, Sept. 10, 2012.
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Rep. John Dingell (D-MI), the longest serving member of the House of Representatives, is retiring.

Dingell will formally announce his plans to not seek re-election on Monday, according to both the Detroit Free Press and the Detroit News. Dingell had served in Congress for 58 years. He will be 88 in July.

In an interview with the News, Dingell said he was in good health but added that he’s “not certain I would have been able to serve out the two-year term.”

Dingell also expressed a type of exhaustion with his chamber.

“I find serving in the House to be obnoxious,” Dingell told the Detroit News. “It’s become very hard because of the acrimony and bitterness, both in Congress and in the streets.”

Dingell has held his seat since 1955. He is serving his 29th term in Congress.

Dingell’s wife, Debbie Dingell, has been mentioned as a likely candidate to run for her husband’s seat. Debbie Dingell serves as the chairwoman of the Wayne State University Board of Governors. She is also a longtime Democratic National Committee representative for Michigan.

This post was updated.

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