Republican former U.S. Rep. Fred Upton of St. Joseph, a respected lawmaker who represented Michigan for 36 years and became chairman of the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee, has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president, her campaign said Thursday morning.
In a statement released by the campaign, Upton said he was “proud” to add his name to a list of more than 30 former members of Congress from his party who have said they are voting for Harris over Republican former President Donald Trump. November 5 general election.
“I have already cast my vote for Vice President Kamala Harris as our next President of the United States,” Upton said in the statement.
“I don’t think I’ve missed a vote in Michigan in my 52 years of voting. And I have not been afraid to split my ballot from time to time, but have never voted for a Democrat for president until now,” said Upton, one of 10 Republicans who split with his party to vote to elect Trump for his role in inciting the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, as Congress was meeting to certify the 2020 election of Democratic President Joe Biden.
After the impeachment by the House of Representatives, the Senate did not obtain the required number of votes to convict Trump. Upton, who was excoriated by Trump and other Republicans for his vote, did not run for re-election in 2022 after his district was merged with that of another member, U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Holland Township.
In the statement, Upton said, “It is often said that ‘the only thing necessary for the victory of evil is that good men do nothing.’ And let’s face it: the whole world seems to be on fire today… As a former GOP vice chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus and still a very active participant in the bipartisan organization No Labels, civility and governance must prevail – no nasty and divisive attacks.”
More: In the case of Vice President Kamala Harris, Liz Cheney is telling Republicans to vote their conscience
“The American public wants their elected officials to solve problems – not go around in circles in gridlock. I am confident Vice President Harris will work to bring people together, strengthen our economy and get things done for all Americans,” he said.
The former congressman said Trump is “unfit to serve” given the threat he posed to the peaceful transition of power after the 2020 election, when he said he lost due to fraudulent practices in several swing states, including Michigan. No evidence of widespread corruption was found and members of his own administration told Trump as much.
Meanwhile, Upton said, Trump continues to prove with his behavior that he should not be elected.
“Time and time again, respected senior national Republicans have urged our former president to focus on governing rather than on personal attacks, falsehoods and persistent false 2020 election claims. Instead of following that advice, we see riotous behavior on an almost daily basis behavior in most forums is not acceptable,” Upton said.
Upton joins a string of Republicans who have endorsed Harris, including former U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming, who also voted to impeach Trump and who campaigned with Harris in Oakland County this week. Former Republican U.S. Reps. Dave Trott of Birmingham and Joe Schwarz of Battle Creek, along with late President Gerald Ford’s daughter Susan Ford Bales, are among those with ties to Michigan who have endorsed Harris.
The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a call for comment from the Free Press.
Upton’s endorsement of Harris comes ahead of a rally Thursday evening in Waterford by Trump’s vice presidential running mate, U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio.
Contact Todd Spangler: tspangler@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter@tsspangler.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: GOP former Rep. Fred Upton endorses Kamala Harris for president
