The Hill News

Democrats sought to play a little offense on Wednesday, explaining why their longest-serving House member wasn't "nervous" about his reelection.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) released a memo to reporters explaining why they think Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.) will win reelection.

"Make no mistake about it; John Dingell will win on November 2," the memo said.

"What the GOP and some in the media have attempted to portray as Dingell being nervous, the fact is that Dingell is only being smart and running an aggressive campaign," the memo later added.

But Democrats' offensive in Michigan's 15th congressional district â€" which Dingell first won in 1955 after the death of his father, who was elected to the seat in 1932 â€" is a telling sign that the electoral playing field for Republicans might be broader than Democrats care to admit.

The DCCC said that the Democratic hue of the district, combined! with an aggressive campaign, would win Dingell another term. The congressman would wage an "extended" TV, radio and Internet ad campaign, combined with a spotlight on Republican candidate Rob Steele.

Dingell told supporters he needed them to max out donations to his campaign to fend off Steele, according to a report. Steele is a cardiologist with independent wealth that could enable him to spend heavily in the race if he were to choose to do so.

Still, the district is drawn to favor Democrats. It's home to the University of Michigan and Ann Arbor â€" reliably liberal areas â€" and includes parts of Detroit. But there's a good deal of turf in the district inhabited by rural, more conservative Michigan voters who could make the difference in the race.