Longest-serving member of Congress, John Dingell, announces retirement

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24 (UPI) -- After serving nearly 60 years in Congress, Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.) has announced he is not running for reelection at the end of this term.

Speaking to the Detroit News Monday morning, Dingell, 87, said that he’s in good health, but he’s not sure he could serve another full two-year term. Most importantly, he doesn’t want to be “carried out feet first.”

“I don’t want people to say I stayed too long.”

Perhaps the main catalyst for his retirement, Dingell lamented that serving in the House has become an "obnoxious" task. "It's become very hard because of the acrimony and bitterness, both in Congress and in the streets."

"This is not the Congress I know and love. It’s hard for me to accept, but it’s time to cash it in."

Dingell has served under 11 presidents and garnered considerable notoriety as the chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee. Throughout his record 30-term tenure, he became known for his support of forward-thinking causes, and considers his vote for the 1964 Civil Rights Act the most important of his career. He also presided over the passage of Medicare and voted for President Obama’s health care reform.

Dingell’s wife, Deborah, is herself an accomplished political figure, having served as an auto industry executive and acting as an adviser to her husband. It is speculated that she may run for his position.

[Detroit News]