President Donald Trump just scored another win after a House Republican who voted to impeach has just announced his retirement.
Rep. Fred Upton of Michigan was one of the 10 House Republicans to vote for Trump’s second impeachment.
On the House floor today, Upton announced he is not running again for Congress in November.
“Even the best stories have a last chapter,” Upton said.
“This is it for me.
“I’ve done the zillions of airline miles back and forth.
“I’ve signed over a million letters, cast more votes while in the chamber here, and accomplished what I set out to do with more unfinished work still yet to come.”
“This was our decision, independent of what I did with Trump,” Upton added.
.@RepFredUpton makes it official on the House floor. He is retiring after 35 representing Southwest Michigan.
“Even the best stories has a last chapter. This is it for me.” pic.twitter.com/hNnIGaQw7f
— Nick Ponton (@nick_ponton) April 5, 2022
Upton was a victim of the redistricting process that saw him being forced into a tough Republican-on-Republican race.
He is the fourth of the 10 GOP Reps who voted to impeach Trump to retire.
He joins Reps. Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH), John Katko (R-NY), and Adam Kinzinger (R-IL).
According to CBS: “In February, the moderate Upton had aired a campaign ad that seemed to signal he was more likely to run.
“The once-a-decade redistricting process pitted him against sixth-term Republican Rep. Bill Huizenga in the same GOP-leaning seat in the state’s southwestern corner.
“Trump recently endorsed Huizenga.”
Longtime GOP Rep. Fred Upton to retire https://t.co/26VLuuwG6a
— Bo Snerdley (@BoSnerdley) April 5, 2022
From The Detroit News:
In an email sent to supporters and friends Tuesday, Upton cited “very positive” poll numbers and sounded upbeat about his upcoming primary against U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga of Holland, but said he’d decided “it is time to pass the torch.”
His retirement would be a substantial blow to Michigan’s clout in the House of Representatives at a time when Republicans are poised to take back the majority in the fall midterm elections.
From the House floor Tuesday, Upton said efforts to work across the aisle and maintain civility have been his “guiding light” over his nearly 36 years in government.
He thanked his family and Southwest Michigan constituents who placed their “faith and confidence in me all these great years.”
