Fred Upton: Difference between revisions
removed detail on Kate's article, added http://www.weeklystandard.com/articles/meet-kate-upton-s-uncle_648832.html Meet Kate Upton’s Uncle]; How a moderate Republican retooled for the Tea Party movement era, July 30, 2012 Weekly Standard |
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==Personal life== |
==Personal life== |
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Upton's grandfather, [[Frederick and Louis Upton|Frederick Upton]], was co-founder of appliance manufacturer and marketer [[Whirlpool Corporation]], which is headquartered in [[Benton Harbor, Michigan|Benton Harbor]]. His wife’s name is Amey, and he has two children, Meg and Stephen.<ref name="pvs"/> Upton's niece is [[Kate Upton]] |
Upton's grandfather, [[Frederick and Louis Upton|Frederick Upton]], was co-founder of appliance manufacturer and marketer [[Whirlpool Corporation]], which is headquartered in [[Benton Harbor, Michigan|Benton Harbor]]. His wife’s name is Amey, and he has two children, Meg and Stephen.<ref name="pvs"/> Upton's niece is model [[Kate Upton]]<ref>{{cite news|last=Leach|first=Robin|title=Photos and videos: Kate Upton — from S.I. Rookie of the Year to cover girl. if|url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2012/feb/14/photos-and-videos-kate-upton-si-rookie-year-cover-/|newspaper=Las Vegas Sun|date=February 14, 2012}}</ref><ref>[http://www.weeklystandard.com/articles/meet-kate-upton-s-uncle_648832.html Meet Kate Upton’s Uncle]; How a moderate Republican retooled for the [[Tea Party movement|Tea Party]] era, July 30, 2012, VOL. 17, NO. 43 [[Weekly Standard]]</ref> |
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Upton is a supporter of [[University of Michigan|Michigan Wolverine]] athletics as well as an enthusiastic [[Chicago Cubs]] baseball fan.<ref name="wapo"/> He is a member of the [[Emil Verban]] Society.<ref name="pvs">{{cite web|title=Representative Frederick 'Fred' Stephen Upton|url=http://votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=26906|publisher=Project Vote Smart|accessdate=February 21, 2012}}</ref> |
Upton is a supporter of [[University of Michigan|Michigan Wolverine]] athletics as well as an enthusiastic [[Chicago Cubs]] baseball fan.<ref name="wapo"/> He is a member of the [[Emil Verban]] Society.<ref name="pvs">{{cite web|title=Representative Frederick 'Fred' Stephen Upton|url=http://votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=26906|publisher=Project Vote Smart|accessdate=February 21, 2012}}</ref> |
Revision as of 06:31, 1 August 2012
Fred Upton | |
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Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan's 6th district | |
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 | |
Assumed office January 5, 2011 | |
Preceded by | Henry Waxman |
Personal details | |
Born | Frederick Stephen Upton April 23, 1953 St. Joseph, Michigan |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | Amey Rulon-Miller |
Residence | St. Joseph, Michigan |
Alma mater | University of Michigan |
Occupation | U.S. Congressman from Michigan |
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.
Early life, education, and early political career
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 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 David Stockman was OMB Director.
U.S. House of Representatives
Elections
- 1986
A protege of OMB director and former U.S. Congressman Dave 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
He won re-election to a second term with 71% of the vote.[5]
- 1990
He faced a challenge in the Republican primary to Ed Fredericks and defeated him 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, he decided to run in the newly redrawn Michigan's 6th congressional district and won 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. Shugars ran well to Upton's right on several issues, especially abortion. Upton defeated him 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
Upton defeated Democrat Kim Clark 61%-38%.[12]
- 2008
Upton defeated Democrat Don Cooney, a Kalamazoo City Commissioner, 59%-39%.[13]
- 2010
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
In 2011, Hoogendyk met with the Club for Growth, a conservative 527 organization and political action committee, about running against Upton in a rematch in 2012.[17] Upton has received criticism of not being conservative enough from 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 will face Democrat Mike O'Brien in the general election.[19][20]
Tenure
- Environment
Upton's website once stated: "I strongly believe that everything must be on the table as we seek to reduce carbon emissions."[21] In April 2009, he maintained that "[c]limate change is a serious problem that necessitates serious solutions. Everything must be on the table."[22] However, "Upton has gradually retreated from his moderate stance on climate change and carbon emissions."[21] 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)[23] He is the co-sponsor, with Ed Whitfield, of the “Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011”.[24]
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 E.P.A. 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.[25]
- Video Game Content Ratings
On September 29, 2006, Upton introduced the Video Game Decency Act (H.R.6120) to the House.
- 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 supported the interests of the National Right to Life Committee 75 percent in 2009.[26] 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 the 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] Yet Upton also 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.[26]
- LGBT Rights
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.[26] He received a 15% rating from the Human Rights Campaign on LGBT Rights in 2008.[27]
- 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. Along with the majority of House members, Upton supported the current prohibition on congressional earmark spending.
Upton is a leading moderate Republican and a member of the Tuesday Group.[clarification needed] He is frequently criticized for being liberal with regards to fiscal issues.[28] As a result he has been labeled a RINO (Republican In Name Only) by conservative watch-dog groups.[who?][29] He is a member of several Republican groups such as the Republican Main Street Partnership and Christine Todd Whitman's IMP-PAC (Its My Party Too).[citation needed]
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.
- 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.
Committee assignments
- Committee on Energy and Commerce (Chairman)
- As Chairman of the full committee, Rep. Upton may serve as an ex officio member of all subcomittees. [when?]
- Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction
Caucus memberships
- Congressional Automotive Caucus[clarification needed] (Co-Vice Chair)
- Congressional Competitiveness Caucus[clarification needed]
- Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus[clarification needed]
- Diabetes Caucus[clarification needed]
- India Caucus[clarification needed]
- Indian-Americans Caucus[clarification needed]
- International Conservation Caucus
- Sportsmen's Caucus[clarification needed]
Personal life
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.[30] Upton's niece is model Kate Upton[31][32]
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.[30]
See also
Further reading
- "The Climate War: True Believers, Power Brokers, and the Fight to Save the Earth" (2010) by Eric Pooley deputy editor of Bloomberg Businessweek ISBN 978-1-4013-2326-4
References
- ^ "Frederick Stephen Upton". rootsweb.ancestry.com. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
- ^ a b Will, George F. (January 9, 2011). "Fred Upton, Rust Belt revolutionary". The Washington Post.
- ^ "MI District 4 - R Primary Race - Aug 05, 1986". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
- ^ "MI District 4 Race - Nov 04, 1986". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
- ^ "MI District 4 Race - Nov 08, 1988". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
- ^ "MI District 4 - R Primary Race - Aug 07, 1990". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
- ^ "MI District 4 Race - Nov 06, 1990". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
- ^ "MI District 6 Race - Nov 03, 1992". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
- ^ "MI District 6 - R Primary Race - Aug 06, 2002". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
- ^ "MI District 6 Race - Nov 05, 2002". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
- ^ "MI - District 06 Race - Nov 02, 2004". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
- ^ "MI - District 06 Race - Nov 07, 2006". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
- ^ "MI - District 06 Race - Nov 04, 2008". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
- ^ "Elections : Elections News and Photos". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2010-08-23. [dead link]
- ^ "MI District 06 - R Primary Race - Aug 03, 2010". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
- ^ "MI - District 06 Race - Nov 02, 2010". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
- ^ Toeplitz, Shira (November 2, 2011). "Club for Growth Encouraging Upton Primary Challenger". Roll Call.
- ^ Samuelsohn, Darren; Dobias, Matt (January 11, 2012). "Fred Upton still faces arrows from the right". Politico. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Coeman, Zak. "Democrat Campaigns for House". Western Herald. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
- ^ a b Sheppard, Kate (2011-01-04) Fred Upton's Climate Changeup, Mother Jones
- ^ Upton hails KVCC wind energy program as Congress debates climate change bill, River Country Journal[who?] (April 24, 2009)
- ^ Upton, Fred; Phillips, Tim (December 28, 2010). "How Congress Can Stop the EPA's Power Grab". The Wall Street Journal.
- ^ Hawkins, Dave (February 9, 2011). "Dirty Air Extremism". Switchboard. Natural Resources Defense Council. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
- ^ Court Backs E.P.A. Over Emissions Limits Intended to Reduce Global Warming June 26, 2012
- ^ a b c "Project Vote Smart". votesmart.org. Retrieved 2010-11-24.
- ^ Congressional Scorecard, Human Rights Campaign, 2008, p. 22.
- ^ Hair, Connie. "Connie Hair Upton's Shocking Votes on Energy-Related Bills". Retrieved 5 March 2012.
- ^ Linnell, Terri. "Fred Upton: RINO". Retrieved 5 March 2012.
- ^ a b "Representative Frederick 'Fred' Stephen Upton". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
- ^ Leach, Robin (February 14, 2012). "Photos and videos: Kate Upton — from S.I. Rookie of the Year to cover girl. if". Las Vegas Sun.
- ^ Meet Kate Upton’s Uncle; How a moderate Republican retooled for the Tea Party era, July 30, 2012, VOL. 17, NO. 43 Weekly Standard
- ^ http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2010/11/10/129493/upton-climate-hearings/?mobile=nc
External links
- U.S. Congressman Fred Upton official U.S. House site
- Fred Upton official campaign site
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
- Profile at Vote Smart
- Profile at SourceWatch