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Longtime GOP Rep. Fred Upton, who voted to impeach Trump, won’t seek reelection

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Michigan Rep. Fred Upton, a centrist stalwart who later was considered one of 10 Republicans who voted to impeach Donald Trump over his position within the Jan. 6 assault, mentioned Tuesday that he wouldn’t run for reelection after 18 phrases within the House.

Upton turns into the fourth Republican who voted to impeach Trump to announce their retirement this cycle, becoming a member of Reps. John Katko, R-N.Y., Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., and Anthony Gonzalez, R-Ohio.

“Even the best stories has a last chapter,” Upton mentioned in an emotional speech on the House ground. “This is it for me.” 

First elected to the House in 1986, Upton, 68, is the dean of the Michigan congressional delegation, and served because the chairman of the influential Energy and Commerce Committee and as a pacesetter of a caucus of centrist Republicans referred to as the Tuesday Group.

He voted to impeach two presidents throughout his lengthy tenure: Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, throughout Trump’s second impeachment. 

Upton thanked his constituents for putting their confidence in him.

“These folks are truly the salt of the earth, and I love them all. I really do, even the few that don’t always love me,” he said.

Upton’s close friend and Michigan colleague, Democratic Rep. Debbie Dingell, spoke on the floor after Upton, calling his retirement “a loss for this country and especially the people of Michigan.” 

Upton’s announcement makes him the eight House Republican to announce retirement. Seven others are looking for different workplace.

Scott Wong is a senior congressional reporter for NBC News. 

Kyle Stewart

Kyle Stewart is an affiliate producer overlaying Congress for NBC News.

Haley Talbot contributed.

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