DETROIT (AP) — First elected to Congress a quarter-century ago as a moderate Republican, Fred Upton has been moving steadily to the right in recent years.
The question GOP primary voters face Aug. 7 is whether he has moved far enough to suit his southwestern Michigan district.
For the second straight election, his primary challenge comes from state lawmaker Jack Hoogendyk. He lost to Upton by 14 points in 2010.
This time the challenger insists an anti-incumbency mood and the congressman’s too-moderate voting record will swing the nomination to him. Early this year, the anti-tax Club for Growth distributed an ad that disparaged Upton as a “liberal.”
Besides having name recognition and a massive campaign war chest, Upton has ascended to the chairmanship of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
