Debbie Dingell reelected to House Democratic leadership post

WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell of Michigan won reelection Tuesday to her post as leader of House Democrats' messaging arm.

Dingell faced a challenge from freshman U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, but ultimately won by a wide margin to retain her position as chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee. Dingell received 152 votes from her caucus and Crockett won 59, according to Dingell's office.

“The job of the DPCC is to ensure that House Dems are unified in their message and ensure that it reaches every corner, every demographic, every place in this country. And we’ve got to do a better job,” Dingell told reporters.

Dingell's win ensures that a Michigan representative will rank among Democratic House leadership as the party prepares for two more years of a Republican majority in the lower chamber. That majority, albeit slim, will have more power than before with Republican Donald Trump returning to the White House and the GOP taking control of the U.S. Senate.

“In the aftermath of this election, this caucus has got to be in a listening mode two ways: leadership has begun a series of listening sessions (with members) … and we’ve got to listen to our constituents,” Dingell said.

She emphasized the importance of ensuring members are going to meet their constituents where they are — in farmers markets, veteran halls, union halls, schools and elsewhere.

“We have to ensure the American people know that House Democrats are listening to them, that we understand their issues and we are the ones that are fighting them, delivering for them and protecting them – that they are getting the facts,” the five-term congresswoman said. “We have to fight the disinformation that’s out there.”

Dingell is the second member of the Michigan delegation to win a caucus leadership race in recent days. Republican U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain of Bruce Township was elected last Wednesday as chair of the House Republican Conference, the No. 4 position in House GOP leadership.

Dingell also said the caucus has to reach people in “places that we haven’t been,” through notable podcasts, influencers and other digital media.

She became the committee's leader last year and previously served as a co-chair, winning elections to that role in 2018 and 2020. Her co-chairs in the next Congress will be Lori Trahan of Massachusetts, Lauren Underwood of Illinois, and Maxwell Frost of Florida.

In a written statement to The Detroit News, Dingell said: “It’s an honor to be re-elected Chair of the DPCC and I’m proud to be a member of the House Democratic Leadership team. I look forward to working with Co-Chairs Lori Trahan, Lauren Underwood, and Maxwell Frost – a great addition to our team and the first Gen Z member of Leadership – to craft a unified message that speaks to all Americans. We’re listening to the people we represent to understand their issues, concerns, and priorities, and making sure they know we are fighting to deliver for them.”

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