KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Congressman Fred Upton has won the 6th congressional district race, allowing him to keep the seat he has held for more than 30 years, according to the Associated Press today.
He was able to beat back the toughest challenge he had faced up to this point from Democrat Jon Hoadley, who represents Kalamazoo County, the only blue county in the district, in the state Legislature.
Upton had criticized Hoadley’s agenda, saying it’s too far to the left, especially in regard to raising taxes and defunding the police.
Upton had said his top issue was getting more pandemic relief to West Michiganders and small businesses in the form of additional PPP funding and direct stimulus checks to people.
He also wants to find money for COVID-19 testing and a vaccine.
Before his election to Congress, Upton worked for President Ronald Reagan in the Office of Management and Budget.
He served as chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce from 2010 to 2016.
If Hoadley had won, he would have been the first openly gay congressman from Michigan.
