The rats continue to jump ship.

Via Detroit Free Press:

U.S. Rep. John Dingell, a Dearborn Democrat who replaced his father in the House some 58 years ago and became one of the most powerful members of Congress ever, will step down after this year, capping a career umatched in its longevity and singular in its influence and sweep.

Dingell, 87, told the Free Press that he’d reached the decision to retire at the end of his current term — his 29th full one — rather than run for re-electon because it was time, given a list of achievements that any other member of Congress would envy, and his continued frustration over partisan gridlock.

It comes at a time when many members of both parties are moving toward the exits in both the House and Senate. Michigan and metro Detroit are not only losing Dingell but U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, a widely respected Democrat with 35 years’ experience, who announced his retirement last year.

Update: Errr, you’ve been in Congress for 58 YEARS!

Via Washington Examiner:

[T]he 87-year-old Michigan Democrat has served in the U.S. House since winning his late father’s seat in 1955. He became the longest serving member of Congress in history on June 7 when he eclipsed the record held by the late Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia.

His plans were first reported Monday morning by The Detroit News and the Detroit Free Press.

“I’m not going to be carried out feet first,” Dingell told The News. “I don’t want people to say I stayed too long.”

Update: The sheeple in the district will almost certainly elect her if she runs, hell, most of them will think they are still voting for her husband.

(HuffPo) – Debbie Dingell, chairwoman of the Wayne State University Board of Governors and wife of Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.), is expected to run for her husband’s seat after he announced Monday that he is retiring from Congress, according to the Detroit News.

The rumored candidate is one of Michigan’s representatives on the Democratic National Committee and a former senior executive at the General Motors Foundation. As a well-known name and power player in Michigan politics, Debbie Dingell could have a potential chilling effect on other would-be representatives for the state’s 12th District if she decides to run.

John Dingell is the longest-serving member of Congress in U.S. history. Debbie Dingell was born in 1954, the year before her husband was sworn-in to the House. The couple was married in 1981.

The district is heavily Democratic: President Barack Obama bested Republican Mitt Romney by 34 points in 2012.