The Great Lakes lost a dedicated advocate when Republican Senator Mike DeWine of Ohio was unseated by Democratic Challenger Sherrod Brown. But, with the change in power, the region's leadership now controls half of the major committees in the House of Representatives. Here's a breakdown:
- Rep. John Dingell, D-MI, will oversee the Energy and Commerce Committee
- Rep. John Conyers, D-MI, will chair the Judiciary Committee
- Rep. Dave Obey, D-WI, will oversee Appropriations
- Rep. James Oberstar, D-MN, will chair the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
- Rep. Collin Peterson, D-MN, will oversee the Agriculture Committee
- Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-NY, will chair the House Rules Committee
Perhaps the best news comes from the Senate, where Senator James Inhofe of Oklahama will be removed from his post as chair of the Environment and Public Works Committee. That guy clearly didnt get it.
What's more, Mr. DeWine vowed to remain active in the campaign to restore the Great Lakes in a recent article in the Dayton Daily News. All in all, the election brought good news for the Great Lakes. Now the task turns to educating the 2008 presidential hopefuls about the region's challenges and opportunities.