There are few Republicans who have so poorly represented the issues and concerns of Michiganders than Fred Upton in the 6th Congressional District. He has repeatedly supported the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, spurring an op-ed by the Kalamazoo Gazette asking him to “Knock it off!”.
In a district which has Lake Michigan as one of its borders, Upton was once chosen as the #1 the Los Angeles Times‘ “Biggest enemies of the Earth” in Congress:
As chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Upton is the gatekeeper for many of the disastrous anti-environment bills that have been approved or proposed in the House this year. Ironically, he was once known among his state’s conservatives as “Red Fred” because of a somewhat pro-environment voting record, but a recent electoral challenge from his right changed all that. Because of his powerful position and newfound disdain for green regulation, he represents one of the biggest threats to planet Earth on planet Earth.
Fred Upton is, in fact, very vulnerable. He won his last election by a tiny margin, winning by only 11 votes in Kalamazoo County. A PPP poll late last year showed his approval rating 19 points under water with only 34% approving of his performance and a whopping 53% of voters showing disapproval. By an huge 51-38 point margin, voters said they would vote for a Democrat over incumbent Fred Upton.
His sole Democratic opponent is Paul Clements. Clements is determined to replace the anti-science, anti-middle class Upton. Today, he released his first ad of the campaign:
A university professor with an advanced degree from Harvard and a masters and doctorate in public policy from Princeton, Clements represents a breath of fresh, educated air in the 6th District. His election would mean that, instead of a tea party ideologue representing the west side of our state, 6th District residents would be represented by a highly educated professor who values both our environment and the people who live in it.
Clements trails Upton’s fundraising, of course, since incumbency gives Upton a huge advantage. That said, Clements has outraised any of Upton’s previous Democratic opponents having already raised over $500,000 with $350,000 on hand.
If you’re on the west side of the state, get thee to a campaign office and get going on sending Fred Upton into early retirement and putting a true representative of the people in office. This one is winnable and he needs YOUR help to make it happen.
We have less than 100 days left before the election so GOTMFV!
