Fred Upton

Fred Upton
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan's 6th district
Incumbent
Assumed office  January 3, 1987
Preceded by	Bob Carr
Born	April 23, 1953 (1953-04-23) (age 56) St. Joseph, Michigan
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Amey Rulon-Miller
Residence	St. Joseph, Michigan
Alma mater	University of Michigan
Occupation	political assistant
Religion	Congregationalist

Frederick Stephen Upton, (born April 23, 1953) is a politician from Michigan. He is a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives, serving the state's 6th congressional district. The district, based in Kalamazoo, stretches along the Michigan-Indiana border in the southwestern part of the state.

Born in St. Joseph, Michigan, Upton earned a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Michigan in 1975. He served in the Office of Management and Budget under Ronald Reagan from 1981 to 1985. A protege of OMB director and former congressman Dave Stockman, he ran in the 1986 Republican primary against Stockman's successor in what was then the 4th district, Mark D. Siljander. Upton won the primary and was easily elected in November. He has been reelected 11 times. His district became the 6th district after reapportionment following the 1990 census caused Michigan to lose two seats.

Upton serves as a member on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. He, along with Edward Markey, is responsible for changing daylight saving time by adding the provision to the Energy Policy Act of 2005. In the 111th United States Congress, Upton serves as ranking member of the Energy and Environment Subcommittee, as well as a member of the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet.

Upton is a leading moderate Republican. He supports stem cell research and some forms of gun control, though he opposes abortion in most circumstances and received a 15% rating from the Human Rights Campaign on LGBT Rights in 2008.^[1] However, he is fairly conservative on fiscal issues. 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).

Upton is well-known for his personable manner, often telling those who address him as "Congressman Upton" to "call me Fred." He personally reads all of the legislative mail he receives from his constituents, and often calls them to discuss their concerns. He has only missed a few votes during his 22 years in Congress, a record that has earned him the nicknames "Ironman of the House" and "the Cal Ripken of Congress."

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

Upton's grandfather, Frederick Upton, was co-founder of appliance manufacturer and marketer Whirlpool Corporation, which is headquartered in Benton Harbor.

Upton is a known supporter of Michigan Wolverine athletics as well as an enthusiastic Chicago Cubs baseball fan.

Committee assignments

• Committee on Energy and Commerce
  • Subcommittee on Energy and Environment (Ranking Member)
  • Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet

2002 election

Upton faced conservative state senator Dale Shugars in the Republican primary. Shugars ran well to Upton's right on several issues, especially abortion. However, Upton easily won the primary and defeated Democrat Gary Giguere in the general election.

2004 election

Upton faced no primary opponent and won the general election against Democrat Scott Elliott, an art gallery owner.

2006 election

Upton had no opponent in the Republican primary. In the general election, Upton took 61 percent of the vote, defeating his Democratic challenger Kim Clark.

2008 election

Upton once again had no opponent in the Republican primary. Upton defeated Democrat Don Cooney, Libertarian Greg Merle, and Green Reverend Edward Pinkney in the general election.

References

External links

• U.S. Congressman Fred Upton official House site
• Fred Upton at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Federal Election Commission — Frederick Stephen Upton campaign finance reports and data
• On the Issues — Fred Upton issue positions and quotes
• OpenSecrets.org — Fred Upton campaign contributions
• Project Vote Smart — Representative Frederick Stephen 'Fred' Upton (MI) profile
• Washington Post — Congress Votes Database: Fred Upton voting record
• SourceWatch Congresspedia - Fred Upton profile
• Fred Upton official campaign site