[27], Upton was reelected with 55.9% of the vote against Democratic nominee Jon Hoadley (40.2%), Libertarian Party nominee Jeff Depoy (2.75%), and Green Party candidate John Lawrence (1.2%). I know that Mr. Upton will continue getting things done for Michiganders and leading on the issues that matter most in our great state.. Speaking to reporters afterward, Upton pointed to redistricting as a key factor in his decision to retire,. Washington After 36 years in Congress, Republican U.S. Rep. Fred Upton has emptied his three offices, turned in the keys and shipped 102 boxes of his papers to . This is it for me.. Uptons close friend and Michigan colleague, Democratic Rep. Debbie Dingell, spoke on the floor after Upton, calling him a "devoted public servant for southwest Michigan, all of Michigan, and our nation. Upton, 68, is the fourth Republican who backed impeachment to not seek reelection, joining Reps. John Katko of New York, Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois. And it was, again, the independent voters that really determined the results., The loss of moderates like Upton will reduce the membership of the Problem Solvers Caucus from 58 to around 50 in the next Congress, he predicted. [59], In 2013, Upton condemned controversial anti-gay remarks by Republican National Committeeman David Agema. Carbon regulation, he said, "threatens to drive energy prices higher, destroy jobs and hamstring our economic recovery. She said, And they lived happily ever after. Indeed we will.. Upton made the announcement. Upton was reelected, defeating Democratic nominee Paul Clements, a political science professor at Western Michigan University, 58.5%36.4%. Even the best stories have a last chapter. [56] He has called for Congress to pass a bipartisan red flag law. The idea of not having to raise money during his final months in office, along with the fact that he and his wife, Amey, now have three grandchildren, sealed the deal, said Upton, who turns 70 in April. A former chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, Upton has played a major role in shaping post-Obamacare health care legislation. Ive worked with seven administrations, seven House speakers none of them would call me a rubber stamp. The closest he came to losing was in 2018, a wave year for Democrats nationally, when he beat Matt Longjohn 50%-46%. Mack, Julie; David Stockman, former southwest Michigan congressman and Reagan aide, offers dire view of U.S. economy; Michigan Live; April 1, 2013; ;2018 election He was a member of the House Problem Solvers caucus. But this past spring, Upton announced that after 36-years serving the region in Washington, he was retiring. One of them was the late heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali, who lived in Uptons district and came to Washington to lobby for the Cures Act, even while suffering from Parkinsons disease. When we passed it, I called him, and Lonnie, his wife, answered the phone, Upton said. My advice is, find some friends on both sides of the isle, he said. From 2010-16, Upton was selected by House colleagues to serve as Chairman of the Committee of Energy and Commerce. Over the years, he has taken fire from both sides. Here we are, two years later, no one has provided the evidence that showed that those states that were in question, that the vote wouldve been overturned., I dont have any regrets, he added. U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, a longtime ally and friend of Upton, shared some kind words about him on. Fred really believed that he was an American first, Dingell said. Hes a good person, said Ornstein. 8297: Ensuring Access to Abortion Act of 2022 -- House Vote #362 -- Jul 15, 2022", "H.R. Upton is the fourth of the 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump for inciting an insurrection at the Capitol on January 6, 2021 to announce their retirement. Perhaps most importantly, however, he wrote along with U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., and with help from then-Vice President Joe Biden the 21st Century Cures Act, a sweeping effort to accelerate medical advances. "This is it for me," said Upton, R-St. Joseph. One important effect of this legislation was to pave the way for faster vaccine approval, including the first Pfizer vaccine produced in Kalamazoo, Upton said. [22] On January 17, 2012, Hoogendyk announced that he would challenge Upton in the primary, the winner of which would face the Democratic nominee, former marine and businessman Mike O'Brien. [36] In 2018, Upton and Representative Debbie Dingell worked together on legislation designed to combat opioid addiction. Rep. Fred Upton of Michigan is the fourth retirement among the ten House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump over the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Im convinced that we came within minutes of having a massacre on the House or Senate floor, said Upton, describing how he watched the mob move up the streets of D.C., past his office and to the Capitol, and picking up bits of broken glass in the building later in the night. [60], In 2021, Upton was one of 29 Republicans to vote to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act. Thompson Dennis; Congress passes 21st Century Cures Act with billions for new research, treatments; CBS News; December 8, 2016; Rep. Fred Upton and Rep. Debbie Dingell Team Up to Battle Opioid Addiction; WDET; May 24, 2018; Zipp, Yvonne; Michigan Live; December 12, 2013; 2000 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan District 6, 2002 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan District 6, 2004 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan District 6, 2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan District 6, 2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan District 6, 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan District 6, 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan District 6, 2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan District 6, 2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan District 6, 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan District 6, 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan District 6, New England Compounding Center meningitis outbreak, Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, Massachusetts v. Environmental Protection Agency, North American Energy Infrastructure Act (H.R. "As a former boy scout, I believe in leaving thecampground better than one found it," Upton said in his floor remarks Tuesday. [4] He attended Shattuck-Saint Mary's, graduating in 1971. Upton praised the salt of the earth people he has been blessed beyond measure to represent. [74] On January 21, 2021, the Allegan County Republican Party censured Upton for his vote to impeach Trump. (ne Vial) and Stephen Edward Upton (19242022[3]). But there was no question that he would have faced a tough, expensive primary race against a Trump-backed Huizenga. You know, this place is more toxic than ever before, he said. [88], In 2022, Upton was one of 39 Republicans to vote for the Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act of 2022, an antitrust package that would crack down on corporations for anti-competitive behavior. Ironically, it was a nasty campaign tactic by his Republican primary opponent that helped Upton win his first run for Congress in 1986. Reps. Anthony Gonzalez (R-Ohio), John Katko (R-N.Y.) and Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.)have done the same. [86], Upton voted for H.R. [14] He won the general election with 69% of the vote. My district was cut like Zorro three different ways, the Michigan Republican told reporters. [30], Upton voted against passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and has since voted in favor of its complete repeal. Moderate Rep. Fred Upton announced his retirement from Congress in an emotional House floor speech Tuesday, telling his colleagues that "even the best stories have a last chapter." "This is. [10], Upton defeated Ed Fredricks in the Republican primary, 63%37%. He has been a devoted public servant for 35 years, Dingell said. IE 11 is not supported. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Upton attended the University of Michigan, obtaining a bachelors degree in journalism in 1975. Starting his career in politics working for the Office of Budget Management in the administration of President Ronald Regan, Upton says hes seen a great change in politics since he first arrived in Washington. Upton, R-St. Joseph, is Michigans longest serving member of Congress. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. After 36 years representing St. Joseph, Michigan, Congressman Fred Upton is ready for a new chapter. Debbie Dingell, who has been close friends with the Uptons for decades and said she speaks to Fred almost daily, said she has only seen him angry when people arent treating other people decently., Its just crossing a line, said Dingell, who in the last few weeks of the current Congress, gave Upton a desk in her office as departing members were forced to give up their spaces to prepare for incoming members. "[49] Upton added, "we're creating a fair and transparent approval process for cross-border energy projects, putting them all on a level playing field for the benefit of North American energy security, lower energy prices, and jobs. Then, this fall, Upton said he followed up and called Alis widow, even though she no longer lives in Michigan, and left a voicemail on her cellphone: I just want to tell you that the governor and I cut the ribbon and the last leg of U.S. 31 is now open!, The Source for news on Capitol Hill since 1955. One of the longest serving Republicans in the House, Upton has decided to retire . Trump said in a statement. We've received your submission. This is a developing story that will be updated throughout the day. Upton did so and the two wrote legislation requiring the government to publicize water quality issues when they arise. [37], In 2007 Upton co-sponsored the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which, among other things, mandated phased-in energy efficiency standards for most light bulbs. ", "To him, bipartisan and compromise are not forbidden words," she said. [33], In 2013, Upton introduced a bill that would grant the Food and Drug Administration more power to regulate drug compounding in the wake of the New England Compounding Center meningitis outbreak. But suggesting John Dingell was in hell, as Trump did, and using the Dingell name in a dishonorable manner, he thought, was unacceptable from anyone." Fred is a dear friend to me, he was Johns best friend. U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, may be one of the most affable, easygoing politicians youll ever meet but when it comes to enemies, he sure can pick them. Hes known as a problem solver, said McMorris Rodgers. Known for reaching across the aisle, the former Energy and Commerce chairman and longtime moderate leaves a legacy of crafting bipartisan legislation during his 18 terms, including bills that expanded health research, streamlined approval of drugs and medical products and tackled tough environmental problems. He thanked his wife, two kids and three grandkids for giving him so much to look forward to. Gov. He was there when John died. He also called for expanded background checks in response to mass shootings and voted to ensure that the federal government recognize legal marriages regardless of the couples sex, race or ethnicity, even going to the White House for the signing ceremony. And as a key member of the Problem Solvers Caucus, comprised of an equal number of Republicans and Democrats, he helped put forward and pass Biden's signature bill to rebuild roads, bridges and other infrastructure that most House Republicans voted against. [76], On May 19, 2021, Upton was one of 35 Republicans who joined all Democrats in voting to approve legislation to establish the January 6 commission meant to investigate the Capitol attack. [43], Upton and Ed Whitfield co-sponsored H.R. My decision was really based on redistricting, he said. Frederick Stephen Upton (born April 23, 1953) is an American politician who served as a U.S. representative from Michigan from 1987 to 2023, representing the state's 6th congressional district since 1993. Hed be a friend even if we didnt serve in Congress together. [72][73] He ultimately did so alongside nine other Republicans on January 13. Copyright 2023 CQ Roll Call. 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