Michigan representative Fred Upton was one of 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach then-President Donald Trump in January 2021, saying in a statement that “our country cannot and will not tolerate any effort by any president to impede the peaceful transfer of power.”
It seems that President Trump campaigned in Michigan last weekend, in part, just to remove some of these DeceptiCons.
Today, Representative Upton announced he will not seek reelection.
Four down, six to go.



GOP Rep. Fred Upton to retire
Rep. Fred Upton, one of the longest-tenured Republicans in the House of Representatives, has decided to retire rather than seek reelection in 2022.
By Alex Isenstadt and Olivia Beavers
04/05/2022

Rep. Fred Upton, one of the longest-tenured Republicans in the House of Representatives, has decided to retire rather than seek reelection in 2022.

Upton was one of 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach then-President Donald Trump in January 2021, saying in a statement that “our country cannot and will not tolerate any effort by any president to impede the peaceful transfer of power.” Now, Upton is the fourth of those 10 to retire, joining Reps. Anthony Gonzalez (R-Ohio), John Katko (R-N.Y.) and Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) in exiting Congress.

Upton announced his retirement in a speech on the House floor Tuesday morning. Speaking to reporters afterward, Upton pointed to redistricting as a key factor in his decision to retire, rather than backlash he faced over his impeachment vote. “My district was cut like Zorro — three different ways,” the Michigan Republican told reporters. “So I’ve been here 36 years. When I first ran, I thought I’d be here 10.”

“I got a lot of unfinished business that I’m going to be working on now. ... But no, this was our decision, independent of what I did with Trump,” added Upton, who was first elected in 1986.

Trump endorsed a Republican primary challenger against Upton, state Rep. Steve Carra. But Carra later dropped out, and Trump switched his endorsement to GOP Rep. Bill Huizenga, as redistricting put Upton on a collision course with Huizenga for the newly drawn district.

For a time, it appeared that running in the redrawn district was Upton’s plan. He turned in a big fundraising quarter to end 2021, and he spent more than $400,000 in early 2022 to air a TV ad in which he declared, “I’m not afraid to take on anyone when they’re wrong and work with anyone who’s right.”

“If you want a rubber stamp as your congressman, I’m the wrong guy,” Upton continued in the ad, which touted his work in Congress on taxes, law enforcement and fighting diseases.

Upton, who previously chaired the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee, leaves behind a record of bipartisan legislation. He cited the 21st Century Cures Act as his biggest accomplishment, which he said survived a Senate filibuster and paved the way for the FDA to approve vaccines for Covid. “That’s probably our biggest achievement,” Upton said.

He was accompanied by his close friend, Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), on the House floor while delivering his speech, as he pointed to his next chapter with his family.

“Debbie was my first call,” said Upton. “She didn’t answer.”

“I didn’t want to get the news,” she replied.

https://www.politico.com/news/2022/04/05/gop-rep-fred-upton-to-retire-00023009

 

The battle lines are being drawn (see post #525 in Big Tech.)
Original article shortened to bullet points only as per @conroe4's instructions....

Twitter says it will NOT reinstate Trump despite Elon Musk vowing 'significant' change to woke platform after taking a board seat with 9% stake as the largest shareholder
By Natasha Anderson
Published: 08:42 EDT, 5 April 2022

• Conservatives are calling for Donald Trump's reinstatement on Twitter
• The move comes after Tesla CEO Elon Musk became the social media platform's largest shareholder and a member of its board of directors
• Musk currently holds a 9.2 percent stake in the company and has secured a seat on the board until Twitter's 2024 annual shareholders meeting
• Musk, who has been highly critical of Twitter and its policies, said he is excited to 'make significant improvements to Twitter in coming months!'
• While Musk has not spoken about any rule changes he might push, Republicans speculate he will try to make the platform 'adhere to free speech principles'
• Twitter said it has 'no plans to reverse any policy decisions' and is 'committed to impartiality in the development and enforcement of its policies and rules'

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https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...rd-directors-buying-9-stake-social-media.html

 

Watch: NC Rally Crowd Goes Wild When Trump Asks, ‘Is There Anybody Here Who Would Like to See Me Run Again?’

Former President Donald Trump fired up an enthusiastic crowd of thousands during a Saturday “Save America” rally in Selma, N.C.

“Everything we’re seeing is a consequence of this horrible, horrible election,” Trump told the energetic crowd. “It was rigged, it was stolen, it was a disgrace.”

“But don’t lose hope because with the right leadership, America will be back greater, stronger and more powerful than ever before.”

Mr. Trump spoke for approximately 25 minutes before introducing one of several North Carolina candidates he has endorsed, according to a local Fox affiliate report.

Representative Ted Budd, a Senate candidate spoke first at the rally while Trump stood nearby and shook Budd’s hand when he left the stage.

First-term Congressman Madison Cawthorn and congressional candidate Bo Hines also spoke before Trump at the venue just northeast of Selma along Interstate 95.

After their remarks, the 45th president spoke again for more than one-half hour.