fred upton retiring

Democrats face a steep climb to keep the majority in both chambers later this year, as the GOP will only need a net gain of five seats to win back the majority in the House. The eNewspaper, a digital replica of the print paper, every day. Michigan's Fred Upton on Tuesday became the fourth of the 10 congressmen to announce his retirement. During Uptons tenure, though, moderates went from being a dominant force to a dying breed. Michigan GOP roiled as Trump injects. An independent commission in 2021 cut off the southern portion of Uptons old district, including a middle school named after him in his hometown of St. Joseph, and stretched it across the bottom of the state all the way to Lake Erie. Bill Clark / CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images file, GOP Rep. Fred Upton receives death threat after backing infrastructure bill. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)AP. Trump wasted no time gloating. I was a Reagan domestic guy, he said. 4 down and 6 to go. [57], In March 2021, Upton was one of eight Republicans to join the House majority in passing the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021. April 5, 2022, 8:07 AM PDT By Scott Wong and Kyle Stewart Michigan Rep. Fred Upton, a centrist stalwart who later was one of 10 Republicans who voted to impeach Donald Trump over his role in. Upton made the announcement. [89][90], Upton's grandfather and eponym, Frederick Upton, was co-founder with his brother Louis Upton of appliance manufacturer and marketer Whirlpool Corporation, headquartered in Benton Harbor. IE 11 is not supported. The move turned a tight race into a 55-45 percent loss for Siljander. But Carra dropped out of the race when redistricting drew both Upton and his GOP colleague, Rep. Bill Huizenga, into the same district, setting up a member-on-member primary. [36] In 2018, Upton and Representative Debbie Dingell worked together on legislation designed to combat opioid addiction. [59], In 2013, Upton condemned controversial anti-gay remarks by Republican National Committeeman David Agema. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Believing that Trump incited the mob on Jan. 6 to attack the Capitol, he voted to impeach him becoming one of just 10 House Republicans to do so and earning the presidents lasting ire. After that, his only plan is to stay close to the area that he represented faithfully for 36-years. [67], During Trump's presidency, Upton voted in line with Trump's stated position 78.6% of the time. "UPTON QUITS! Hear this story. [102], Upton is a supporter of Michigan Wolverines athletics, as well as an enthusiastic Chicago Cubs baseball fan. Fred really believed that he was an American first, Dingell said. He was in Ann Arbor, alongside Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps (who trained at Michigan) for the coin flip against Penn State and got to remain on the field for the entire game. Upton has kept many of those beliefs as well as an abiding faith in what he calls the Reagan model, putting the best team of people around him and working on developing relationships regardless of whether you always agreed with someone or were in the same party. [71], On January 12, 2021, Upton announced he would vote to impeach Trump in the pending vote on a second impeachment, claiming Trump incited the January 6 United States Capitol attack, becoming the fourth House Republican to say they would vote to impeach. He also led countless efforts to help west Michigan including spending decades on a project linking US-31 to Interstate 94 in Berrien County, which was finally completed this year. He released a profanity-laced voicemail that contained death threats and against him, his family and staff, and some GOP colleagues wanted those 13 lawmakers booted off their committees. All rights reserved. (WNDU) - One of the longest serving Republicans in the House of Representatives is retiring. A statement on Uptons web site about his career says he remains focused on the issues that matter to folks in Southwest Michigan: Health care, jobs and economic growth, taking care of our military personnel and veterans, education, protecting our Great Lakes, delivering real results for families and businesses here at home, and much more., Homeowner watched via trail cam as man broke into hunting camp in Northern Michigan, stole several items, Alabama Jumpers: these snake-like worms are spreading across US, Powerball results for 04/04/22; jackpot worth $233 million. Someone asked my wife, Amy, what would be the next chapter? the outgoing lawmaker concluded, choking up as he spoke. Gov. All rights reserved. He thanked his staff and his supporters. Upton angered many in his party when he joined nine other House Republicans in voting to impeach President Donald Trump a week after the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the Capitol. "[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. I wish both he and Amey the best as they start their next chapter.. 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. 4 down and 6 to go. He says more time with family and possible a ski trip are immediately in order after his term expires. But no, this was our decision, independent of what I did with Trump, added Upton, who was first elected in 1986. Upton won by 16 percentage points. Even the best stories has a last chapter, Upton said in an emotional speech on the House floor. [55], In 2019, Upton supported a bill that requires background checks for private firearm sales. When I first ran, I thought Id be here 10.. [30], Upton voted against passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and has since voted in favor of its complete repeal. ", "To him, bipartisan and compromise are not forbidden words," she said. 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. On Tuesday, after more than 35 years in Congress, Upton declared that he had reached the end of this ideological fight for the soul of the Republican Party. The act allowed for expedited approval of important drugs and medical devices, and just four years after it was passed, helped shepherd along speedy approval of the nations first COVID-19 vaccine. [4] He attended Shattuck-Saint Mary's, graduating in 1971. LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - Fred Upton, Michigans most senior lawmaker in Congress, has announced he will retire from the House at the end of his term. who on Jan. 3 will officially leave Congress, bill to rebuild roads, bridges and other infrastructure, In Michigan and across US, it was a bad night for Trump, Rep. Fred Upton announces retirement from Congress, has been in US House since 1987, secure aid for Flint in the wake of lead contamination, His picks lost badly and Republicans gave up control, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Upton would have faced Rep. Bill Huizenga, who President Trump endorsed in March, in the Republican primary for Michigans new 4th district. "This is it for me," said Upton, R-St. Joseph. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, McConnell jokes about his concussion upon return to Senate, Six more Bidens may have gained from family business schemes: Comer, Rep. Jim Jordan responds to Braggs lawsuit, argues court has no power to block subpoena, Truth-challenged NY Rep. George Santos announces 2024 re-election campaign. Carbon regulation, he said, "threatens to drive energy prices higher, destroy jobs and hamstring our economic recovery. Debbie was my first call, said Upton. In a hard-fought race in which Upton accused Siljander of missing dozens of votes and Siljander sent a tape to fundamentalist clergy in the area saying they needed to look at Satan in the face ahead of the GOP primary, Upton won. In November 2013, in response to Americans losing their health insurance coverage because of the ACA, Upton proposed a bill that would allow them to retain it. Freds statesman-like legacy will be remembered both in Michigan and our nations capital. Thanks again to the people of my district who placed their faith and confidence in me all these years, Upton said on the morning of April 5. [20], In 2011, Hoogendyk met with the Club for Growth, a conservative 501(c)4 organization, about running against Upton again. Uptons not sure whats next for him though hell stay in St. Joseph only that he wont be in the U.S. House. But what also stands out about Upton who turns 70 next year and as a University of Michigan journalism student dreamed of being a sportswriter covering the Cubs is just how well he has managed to get along with so many of his colleagues in what can be a rough business. "[42] In late 2010, he co-authored a Wall Street Journal opinion piece saying he was "not convinced" that "carbon is a problem in need of regulation" and urging Congress to overturn Massachusetts v. Environmental Protection Agency. 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 . [100][101] Open Secrets reported that Upton had a net worth of $78 million in 2018, making him one of Congress's richest members. 4 down and 6 to. Upton won with 55.9% of the vote, defeating Democrat Paul Clements, Libertarian Erwin Haas, and Green Party candidate John Lawrence. Then theres former President Donald Trump, who has labeled Upton as a RINO (Republican in name only) so many times, youd think he has a horn. I know that Mr. Upton will continue getting things done for Michiganders and leading on the issues that matter most in our great state.. Hed be a friend even if we didnt serve in Congress together. Upton, whose grandfather co-founded Whirlpool Corp. and whose father fought in the Battle of the Bulge in World War II, began his career in politics as an aide to former Rep. David Stockman, R-Mich., and later worked for Stockman when he became President Ronald Reagans budget director. CQ Roll Call is a part of FiscalNote, the leading technology innovator at the intersection of global business and government. [16], Upton defeated Democratic nominee Kim Clark, 61%38%. [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. (In) their resolution they stated that her comments have not been out of line with anyone elses comments. Really? Upton tweeted. Upton didnt explicitly say so at the time, but newly drawn congressional lines the result of a voter approved redistricting commission decimated the area he represented since 1986. 1443: LGBTQ Business Equal Credit Enforcement and Investment Act -- House Vote #182 -- Jun 24, 2021", "These are the 47 House Republicans who voted for a bill protecting marriage equality", "Republicans stand behind Trump on wall; a few cracks emerge", "Michigan delegation split 7-7 on $1.9T COVID relief bill vote Michigan Advance", "President Trump tells four liberal congresswomen to 'go back' to their countries, prompting Pelosi to defend them", "Here are the 4 Republicans who voted to condemn Trump's racist tweets", "Here's how the House voted on Trump's impeachment", "Analysis | The House Republicans who support impeaching President Trump", "U.S. Republican Rep. Fred Upton will vote to impeach Trump: spokesman", "These 10 House Republicans voted to impeach Trump on Wednesday", "Allegan County Republicans censure Congressman Fred Upton for Trump impeachment vote", "Upton censured for vote to remove Marjorie Taylor Greene from Education Committee", "Here are the 35 House Republicans who voted for the January 6 commission", "House sends bill creating January 6 commission to the Senate", "House votes to repeal 2002 Iraq War authorization", https://clerk.house.gov/evs/2021/roll172.xml, "These are the 9 House Republicans who voted to hold Steve Bannon in contempt of Congress", https://news.wttw.com/sites/default/files/article/file-attachments/2017-12-05-DACA_Letter_1.pdf, "Text - H.R.1865 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020", "Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives", "H.R. Upton, 68, is the fourth Republican. But in retelling stories about important bills, Uptons fondest memories are about the people who helped get them passed. Its about 9 oclock at night. Ironically, it was a nasty campaign tactic by his Republican primary opponent that helped Upton win his first run for Congress in 1986. In an April 5 speech on the House floor, Upton announced his intent to retire, having served for 18 consecutive terms in the House of Representatives. Upton attended the University of Michigan, obtaining a bachelors degree in journalism in 1975. U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., stands outside the Capitol Building after a vote on May 3, 2017 in Washington, D.C. Upton is retiring at the beginning of January 2023. Asked if it was discouraging to be one of only 29 House Republicans in the Problem Solvers Caucus, a group of members equally divided between parties committed to finding common ground on many of the key issues facing the nation, Upton answered in his usual upbeat manner. She didnt answer.. He first worked as a staffer for then-Rep. David Stockman, R-Mich., and then followed his boss to the Office of Management and Budget during the Reagan administration. I got a lot of unfinished business that Im going to be working on now. When a mob of Trump supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, as Congress met in joint session to certify the 2020 presidential election for Biden, Upton was alone in his office nearby. Fred and I have worked together on a host of issues including prioritizing the protection of the Great Lakes, leveling the playing field for Michigan agriculture, and supporting efforts to clean up PFAS and lead contamination. by Kelsey Carolan - 04/05/22 10:33 AM ET Greg Nash Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.), a longtime member of Congress who has served in the lower chamber since 1987, announced his retirement Tuesday in. Fred Upton is retiring after serving Michigan in Congress for 36 years. Reagan worked both sides of the aisle to get things done, caring less about who got the credit, and I made a promise that such a principle would be my guiding light, the congressman added referring to former President Reagan. A moderate in a toxic place, Fred Upton says goodbye to Congress, He built a bipartisan legacy and took flak for impeaching Trump. NOW WHAT? Upton came to the nations capital in the 1970s to work for a new Michigan congressman his dad had introduced him to Republican David Stockman and was regarded highly enough by Stockman that he took Upton with him when he became head of the Office of Management and Budget for President Ronald Reagan in 1981. House floor, graduating in 1971 is a part of FiscalNote, the leading technology innovator at intersection. Campaign tactic by his Republican primary for Michigans new 4th district of business. Represented faithfully for 36-years Shattuck-Saint Mary 's, graduating in 1971 the serving. 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