Interesting how that works…
Nearly half of the “Republicans” who voted for the impeachment of Donald Trump have announced their retirement from the House of Representatives.
Michigan Republican Rep. Fred Upton was the latest to throw in the towel, announcing Tuesday morning that he will not be seeking re-election in the 2022 midterm election. Upton has represented Michigan’s sixth congressional district since 1987. He is now the fourth Republican member of the House who voted for former President Donald Trump’s impeachment to announce his decision to not seek re-election.
[source: The Daily Wire]
“As a former Boy Scout, I believe in leaving the campground better than one found it. I’ve worked with seven administrations, seven house speakers, none of them would call me a rubber stamp,” Upton said from the House floor on Tuesday.
As noted by Fox News’ Chad Pergram, Upton is the “former chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee” and “was one of 10 GOPers who voted to impeach Trump during the [second] impeachment trial.”
Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), just announced his retirement on the floor rather than run for re-election this fall. Former chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee. Was one of 10 GOPers who voted to impeach Trump during the 2nd impeachment trial
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) April 5, 2022
Due to redistricting in the Great Lake State, Upton would have had to face a primary challenge against Representative Bill Huizenga in the 2022 election. Huizenga has already been endorsed by Trump.
In early March, Trump released a statement in support of Huizenga.
Upton is one of 10 GOP elected officials to have voted for Trump’s impeachment. As previously noted, every single one of those individuals has been primaried or has resigned.
In addition to Upton, Republican Reps. John Katko (NY), Anthony Gonzalez (OH), and Adam Kinzinger (IL) have also announced their retirement from Congress after voting for Trump’s impeachment following the January 6 riot.
According to CNN’s Manu Raju, Upton told the reporter that he was “torn” over whether or not to seek re-election.
Big House news: Veteran GOP Rep. Fred Upton is retiring. He was one of 10 who voted to impeach Trump over Jan. 6. As of last week, he hadn’t made a decision but would have been forced to challenge Rep. Huizenga. He told me last Thursday he was torn over the decision
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) April 5, 2022
No one has ever maintained a career of note by glomming onto the powers that be against the underdog.
The legacy left by these Republicans will be zilch, nada, nothing — they have no leg to stand on and will merely rot in obscurity, languishing in the shadow of their colleagues who actually stood up for America.
Author: Elizabeth Tierney
