With Rep Dingell out, the race to be the top Democrat on technology is wide open

Rep John Dingell's departure will surely shake up a burgeoning competition over who gets to be the top Democrat on the House Commerce Committee.

Rep Dingell (D-MI) was well-placed to step in for Rep Henry Waxman (D-CA) on the committee. In fact, it's a position Rep Dingell has played before -- twice -- and was ousted most recently when Rep Waxman himself dislodged him from the post. Until his retirement announcement, Rep Dingell did not rule out trying to reclaim his old title. With Rep Dingell (D-MI) out of the picture, the spotlight now shines on two more junior lawmakers on the committee: Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ)