John D. Dingell, D-Dearborn, is a representative of Michigan’s Fifteenth Congressional District. Serving 29 terms in the United States House of Representatives makes him the House’s longest serving member. He was born in Colorado Springs, Colo. and now lives in Dearborn, Mich. Dingell, 86, was a part of the United States army from 1944 to 1946, spending time in Japan fighting World War II.
Dingell has been nicknamed “America’s Watchdog” for his defense of the environment from governmental as well as private sector waste and abuse.
Over his career, Dingell has authored several laws focusing heavily on healthcare and the environment.
Arguably his most noteworthy piece of legislation was the 1990 amendments to the Clean Air Act, which the EPA estimates will prevent over 230,000 early deaths by 2020.
Along with the environment, the congressman has done various work concerning civil rights. He was involved in creating the 1957 Civil Rights Act, which would make way for the profound 1964 and 1965 Civil Rights acts.
In 2003, when the University of Michigan fought in the Supreme Court to keep its Affirmative Action policies in place, Congressman Dingell fought against a proposition that would’ve overturned the Affirmative Action Laws in Michigan.
Congressman Dingell voted no on a piece of legislation that would’ve amended Patient Protection and the Affordable Care Act to prohibit abortion coverage.
Cynthia Kallgren, R-Trenton, is a Michigan native and a former school teacher who graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree in social science. Kallgren, 52, was born in Wyandotte, Mich. and now lives in Trenton, Mich. She is married with four children and owns a small business. She was defeated in 2010 by the democratic incumbent Andrew Kandrevas in the general election.
Kallgren’s platform on jobs and the economy is to use “time-tested methods that have worked for generations. To invest, innovate and produce, just like our parents and grandparents did.”
Kallgren opposes the Affordable Health Care Act saying that it “does not provide healthcare choices for America; it denies it.”
She is a pro-life candidate who is endorsed by the nonprofit organization Michigan Right to Life and a supporter of “traditional marriage.”
“As a mom and a business owner I have had to live within means, always spending less than I take in. I expect and will demand the federal government to do the same,” Kallogren said while describing her stance on the national debt.
Richard Secula, 67, is a Libertarian candidate who was born in Hancock, Mich. and now resides in Grosse Ile, Mich. He attended the University of Michigan-Dearborn, Wayne State University and Henry Ford Community College and is now married with two children.
Secula has been working for the Millwright Ford Motor Company since 1970 and was also in the Medical Corps of the United States Army Reserve from 1968-1974.
From 1978-1980, he was the township trustee of the Grosse Ile Township Board and also the commissioner of the planning commission.
Secula was a candidate for District 14 of the House of Representatives in 2008 and 2010 and also a candidate for District 23 in 2000, 2002 and 2004.
