Dingell will seek record 30th House term

DETROIT, Jan. 21 (UPI) -- Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., says he will go for a congressional record and run for a 30th term in 2012.

"It's the greatest job in the world," Dingell, 84, told The Detroit News Thursday, acknowledging he has begun fundraising days since beginning this term.

Dingell, who succeeded his father in 1955 at age 29, already is the longest-serving House member. If re-elected in 2012 he would overtake the late Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., who served more than 57 years in both chambers.

Michigan is losing a seat in 2012 and the Republican-controlled Legislature will have the chance to redraw Dingell's 15th District.

"I've had three bad redistrictings and I've survived every one of them despite predictions to the contrary," Dingell said.

He had a tough race last year against Republican Rob Steele but won by 17 points.

"We had a very, very nasty campaign against us in which I got death threats, my wife got death threats," Dingell said.

Steele told the News he has not decided on a rematch.

He said he had heard of no death threats and called it "grandstanding of the worst type."

"His campaign was nasty," he said. "Our campaign was totally respectful."