John Dingell to Retire After Nearly 60 Years in House

WASHINGTON - Representative John D. Dingell Jr., Democrat of Michigan, the longest-serving member of Congress in history, on Monday was expected to announce that he will not seek re-election in 2014, and will leave Congress in 2015.

Mr. Dingell, 87, has served in the House for more than 58 years, under 11 presidents.

He made his first appearance on the House floor at the age of 6, when his father was elected in 1933; he went on to become a congressional page; and after his father died in 1955 he successfully ran for his seat at the age of 29.

Mr. Dingell, a former Democratic powerhouse, asserted jurisdiction over vast expanses of federal policy as the intimidating chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee. In 2008 his fellow Democrats ousted him from the committee chairmanship, where he had reigned as the top Democrat for nearly 30 years.

His wife of more than three decades, Deborah, is a power in her own right in Washington, has served as an auto industry executive and is a close adviser to her husband. She recently considered, but ultimately decided against, a Senate bid. There is speculation she might run to fill his seat when he retires.