Fred Upton

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For the businessman, see Frederick and Louis Upton.
Fred Upton
Fred Upton, official portrait, 111th Congress.jpg
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Michigan's 6th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 1993
Preceded by Bob Carr
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Michigan's 4th district
In office
January 5, 1987 – January 3, 1993
Preceded by Mark Siljander
Succeeded by Dave Camp
Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 5, 2011
Preceded by Henry Waxman
Personal details
Born Frederick Stephen Upton
(1953-04-23) April 23, 1953 (age 60)
St. Joseph, Michigan
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Amey Rulon-Miller
Residence St. Joseph, Michigan
Alma mater University of Michigan
Occupation U.S. Congressman from Michigan
Religion Congregationalist

Frederick Stephen "Fred" Upton (born April 23, 1953) is the U.S. Representative for Michigan's 6th congressional district, serving since 1987. He is a member of the Republican Party and Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. The district stretches along the Michigan-Indiana border in the southwestern part of the state.

Contents

Early life, education, and early political career[edit]

Upton was born in St. Joseph, Michigan, the son of Elizabeth B. (née Vial) and Stephen Edward Upton.[1] Upton earned a B.A. in journalism from the University of Michigan in 1975. He was a member of the Alpha Delta Phi Fraternity, Peninsular Chapter and became a sports editor at The Michigan Daily and thought he might someday cover the Chicago Cubs.[2] He served on the congressional staff of U.S. Congressman David Stockman (R-MI) from 1976 to 1980. He was in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under Ronald Reagan from 1981 to 1985, while Stockman served as OMB Director.

U.S. House of Representatives[edit]

Elections[edit]

1986

A protege of OMB director and former U.S. Congressman David Stockman, he ran in Michigan's 4th congressional district against incumbent Republican U.S. Congressman Mark Siljander, Stockman's successor. Upton won the Republican primary 55%-45%.[3] He won the general election with 62% of the vote.[4]

1988

Upton won re-election to a second term with 71% of the vote.[5]

1990

He faced a challenge in the Republican primary by Ed Fredericks, ultimately defeating Fredericks by a margin of 63%-37%.[6] In the general election, he won re-election to a third term with 58% of the vote.[7]

1992–2000

After redistricting, Upton decided to run in the newly redrawn Michigan's 6th congressional district, winning re-election in 1992 to a fourth term with 62% of the vote.[8] During this time period, he didn't have a Republican challenger and never won re-election with less than 62%.

2002

After redistricting, Upton faced a primary challenge from state senator Dale Shugars. Upton defeated Shugars 66%-32%.[9] He won the general election with 69% of the vote.[10]

2004

Upton defeated Democrat Scott Elliott, an art gallery owner, 65%-32%.[11]

2006
See also: United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan, 2006#Istrict 6

Upton defeated Democrat Kim Clark 61%-38%.[12]

2008
See also: United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan, 2008#District 6

Upton defeated Democrat Don Cooney, a Kalamazoo City Commissioner, 59%-39%.[13]

2010
See also: United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan, 2010#District 6

Upton was challenged in the Republican primary by former State Representative Jack Hoogendyk. Upton defeated him 57%-43%.[14][15] In the general election, he defeated Cooney in a rematch 62%-34%.[16]

2012
See also: United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan, 2012#District 6

In 2011, Hoogendyk met with the Club for Growth, a fiscally conservative 501(c)4 organization, about running against Upton in a rematch in 2012.[17] Upton has been criticized for not being conservative enough by Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, FreedomWorks, Right to Life of Michigan, and the Southwest Michigan Tea Party Patriots.[18] On January 17, 2012, Hoogendyk announced that he would challenge Upton in the primary, the winner of which would face Democrat Mike O'Brien in the general election.[19][20] Upton defeated Hoogendyk in the August 2012 Republican primary, advancing to the general election in November.[21]

While initial polls showed Upton with a sizable lead over the challenger, former marine and businessman Mike O'Brien, a poll in October showed Upton and O'Brien locked in a statistical "dead-heat" heading into the final stretch of the campaign.[22][23]

Tenure[edit]

Upton has long been a member of the moderate Republican factions The Tuesday Group and the Republican Main Street Partnership.[citation needed]

Environment

Upton's website once stated: "I strongly believe that everything must be on the table as we seek to reduce carbon emissions."[24] In April 2009, he maintained that "climate change is a serious problem that necessitates serious solutions. Everything must be on the table."[25] However, "Upton has gradually retreated from his moderate stance on climate change and carbon emissions."[24] In late 2010, he co-authored a Wall Street Journal editorial saying he was "not convinced" that "carbon is a problem in need of regulation," and urging Congress to overturn Massachusetts v. Environmental Protection Agency. (See Regulation of greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act)[26] He is the co-sponsor, with Ed Whitfield, of the “Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011”.[27]

Regarding the regulation of greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act being upheld in Federal Appeals court, Upton said that Congress’s refusal to approve greenhouse gas limits constituted a decision and that lawmakers should act now to reverse the United States Environmental Protection Agency emissions rules. Carbon regulation “threatens to drive energy prices higher, destroy jobs and hamstring our economic recovery,” per Upton. The American automobile industry supports the regulations.[28] Due to his environmental policies, the Los Angeles Times wrote in 2011 that Upton "represents one of the biggest threats to planet Earth on planet Earth."[29]

In 2007 Upton was a co-sponsor of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 which among other things mandated phased-in energy efficiency standards for most light bulbs. At the time, Upton noted that the legislation, ultimately signed into law by President George W. Bush, would "help preserve energy resources and reduce harmful emissions, all while saving American families billions of dollars on their electric bills."[30] But in 2010, after Glenn Beck called Upton "all socialist" for supporting the bill,[31] Upton led a failed effort to stop Obama from enforcing the new energy standards.[30]

Video game content ratings

On September 29, 2006, Upton introduced the Video Game Decency Act (H.R.6120) to the House.[citation needed]

Healthcare

Upton voted against passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) and has since voted in favor of its complete repeal, stating that the law ignored the will of the people and that a bill that important should not have been passed without strong bipartisan support.[clarification needed] Upton also believes that with the current level of debt, the United States cannot afford the PPACA.[citation needed]

Abortion

Upton opposes abortion in most circumstances, voting to prohibit partial-birth abortion and supporting the interests of the National Right to Life Committee 75 percent in 2009.[32] Upton is an original cosponsor of the Protect Life Act, which among other things would amend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to maintain previous restrictions on federal funding of abortion. He is also a supporter of the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act, which seeks to prohibit the taking of minors across state lines in circumvention of laws requiring the involvement of parents in abortion decisions.[citation needed]

Gun control

Upton does not support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns in most circumstances, and in 2010 received "A" and "A-" ratings from the National Rifle Association and the Gun Owners of America, respectively.[citation needed] Upton supports some gun safety laws. From 1991-2003, Upton supported the interests of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence 55 percent and in 1993, Upton supported a waiting period for gun purchase to provide background checks for criminal records.[32]

LGBT issues

Upton believes that marriage should be defined as between one man and one woman. Upton voted to propose an amendment to the Constitution regarding the definition of marriage on July 18, 2006.[32] He received a 15% rating from the Human Rights Campaign on LGBT Rights in 2008.[33]

Fiscal issues

Upton supports a balanced-budget amendment to the Constitution, a proposal that failed to acquire the two-thirds support necessary to pass the House in the 112th Congress. Upton also supports the line-item veto, which would authorize the President to propose the rescission of full or partial funding in a bill passed by Congress.

In the 111th session of Congress, Upton tabled $7,225,000 in federal funds through eleven earmarks,[34] but political pressure from inside of the Republican party led Upton to announce his support for a Republican initiative to install a moratorium in Congress on legislative earmarks to reduce unnecessary budget expenditures and the fiscal deficit.[35] According to the Council of Citizens Against Government Waste, a taxpayer watchdog group, Upton refrained from all earmarking activities during the 112th Congress.[36]

Upton has been criticized by the conservative website Human Events for being liberal with regards to fiscal issues.[37] As a result he has been labeled a RINO (Republican In Name Only) by conservative watchdog groups.[who?][38]

Upton has been recognized by Grover Norquist's Americans for Tax Reform as a “Hero of the Taxpayer” and by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce with the “Spirit of Enterprise” award.[citation needed]

Daylight Saving Time

Upton, along with Edward Markey, is responsible for changing daylight saving time by adding the provision to the Energy Policy Act of 2005.[citation needed]

Committee assignments[edit]

Caucus memberships[edit]

Personal life[edit]

Upton's grandfather, Frederick Upton, was co-founder of appliance manufacturer and marketer Whirlpool Corporation, which is headquartered in Benton Harbor. His wife’s name is Amey, and he has two children, Meg and Stephen.[41] Upton's niece is supermodel Kate Upton[42][43]

Upton is a supporter of Michigan Wolverine athletics as well as an enthusiastic Chicago Cubs baseball fan.[2] He is a member of the Emil Verban Society.[41]

See also[edit]

Portal icon Biography portal
Portal icon Michigan portal
Portal icon Politics portal

Further reading[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Frederick Stephen Upton". rootsweb.ancestry.com. Retrieved February 21, 2012. 
  2. ^ a b Will, George F. (January 9, 2011). "Fred Upton, Rust Belt revolutionary". The Washington Post. 
  3. ^ "MI District 4 - R Primary Race - Aug 05, 1986". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 21, 2012. 
  4. ^ "MI District 4 Race - Nov 04, 1986". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 21, 2012. 
  5. ^ "MI District 4 Race - Nov 08, 1988". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 21, 2012. 
  6. ^ "MI District 4 - R Primary Race - Aug 07, 1990". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 21, 2012. 
  7. ^ "MI District 4 Race - Nov 06, 1990". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 21, 2012. 
  8. ^ "MI District 6 Race - Nov 03, 1992". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 21, 2012. 
  9. ^ "MI District 6 - R Primary Race - Aug 06, 2002". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 21, 2012. 
  10. ^ "MI District 6 Race - Nov 05, 2002". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 21, 2012. 
  11. ^ "MI - District 06 Race - Nov 02, 2004". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 21, 2012. 
  12. ^ "MI - District 06 Race - Nov 07, 2006". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 21, 2012. 
  13. ^ "MI - District 06 Race - Nov 04, 2008". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 21, 2012. 
  14. ^ "Elections : Elections News and Photos". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2010-08-23. [dead link]
  15. ^ "MI District 06 - R Primary Race - Aug 03, 2010". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 21, 2012. 
  16. ^ "MI - District 06 Race - Nov 02, 2010". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 21, 2012. 
  17. ^ Toeplitz, Shira (November 2, 2011). "Club for Growth Encouraging Upton Primary Challenger". Roll Call. 
  18. ^ Samuelsohn, Darren; Dobias, Matt (January 11, 2012). "Fred Upton still faces arrows from the right". Politico. Retrieved February 21, 2012. 
  19. ^ Klug, Fritz (January 17, 2012). "Jack Hoogendyk to challenge U.S. Rep. Fred Upton again for seat in Congress". Kalamazoo Gazette. Retrieved February 21, 2012. 
  20. ^ Coeman, Zak. "Democrat Campaigns for House". Western Herald. Retrieved 4 June 2012. 
  21. ^ http://www.wsbt.com/news/wsbt-upton-defeats-hoogendyk-again-in-gop-primary-20120807,0,3817147.story
  22. ^ "House Race Ratings". New York Times. Retrieved 13 October 2012. 
  23. ^ Klug, Fritz. "Southwest Michigan Politics: Mike O'Brien poll shows challenger in 'dead heat' with Congressman Fred Upton". MLive. Retrieved 13 October 2012. 
  24. ^ a b Sheppard, Kate (2011-01-04) Fred Upton's Climate Changeup, Mother Jones
  25. ^ Upton hails KVCC wind energy program as Congress debates climate change bill, River Country Journal[who?] (April 24, 2009)
  26. ^ Upton, Fred; Phillips, Tim (December 28, 2010). "How Congress Can Stop the EPA's Power Grab". The Wall Street Journal. 
  27. ^ Hawkins, Dave (February 9, 2011). "Dirty Air Extremism". Switchboard. Natural Resources Defense Council. Retrieved February 21, 2012. 
  28. ^ Court Backs E.P.A. Over Emissions Limits Intended to Reduce Global Warming June 26, 2012
  29. ^ "Year in Review: Congress' 10 biggest enemies of the Earth". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 4 November 2012. 
  30. ^ a b Grunwald, Michael "Long Live the Lightbulb. Big Government has made it better", Accessed May 21, 2012, Time magazine, May 20, 2013, p. Business-6
  31. ^ "Fred Upton to revisit light bulb ban", Politico, November 18, 2010, Accessed May 21, 2013
  32. ^ a b c "Project Vote Smart". votesmart.org. Retrieved 2010-11-24. 
  33. ^ Congressional Scorecard, Human Rights Campaign, 2008, p. 22.
  34. ^ OpenSecrets.org. (n.d.). Fred Upton: Earmarks (fiscal year 2010). http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/earmarks.php?cid=N00004133&cycle=2010
  35. ^ Bonyun, S.C. (2010, March 11). Upton urges all members to join effort banning earmarks. U.S. Congressman Fred Upton. http://upton.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=191540
  36. ^ CCAGW. (2012). Pig book. http://www.cagw.org/reports/pig-book/2012/pork-database.html
  37. ^ Hair, Connie. "Connie Hair Upton's Shocking Votes on Energy-Related Bills". Retrieved 5 March 2012. 
  38. ^ Linnell, Terri. "Fred Upton: RINO". Retrieved 5 March 2012. 
  39. ^ "Congressional Automotive Caucus". Congressman Dale Killdee. Retrieved 2012-10-29. 
  40. ^ a b c d e f "Representative Frederick 'Fred' Stephen Upton's Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved 2012-10-29. 
  41. ^ a b "Representative Frederick 'Fred' Stephen Upton". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved February 21, 2012. 
  42. ^ Leach, Robin (February 14, 2012). "Photos and videos: Kate Upton — from S.I. Rookie of the Year to cover girl. if". Las Vegas Sun. 
  43. ^ Meet Kate Upton’s Uncle; How a moderate Republican retooled for the Tea Party era, July 30, 2012, VOL. 17, NO. 43 Weekly Standard
  44. ^ http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2010/11/10/129493/upton-climate-hearings/?mobile=nc

External links[edit]

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by
Mark D. Siljander		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Michigan's 4th congressional district
1987–1993		 Succeeded by
David Lee Camp
Preceded by
Milton Robert Carr		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Michigan's 6th congressional district
1993–Present		 Succeeded by
Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by
Henry Waxman
California		 Chairman of House Energy and Commerce Committee
2011–present		 Succeeded by
Incumbent
United States order of precedence
Preceded by
Lamar Smith
R-Texas		 United States Representatives by seniority
26th		 Succeeded by
Nancy Pelosi
D-California
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Video game law
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