Fred Upton Bio
Frederick Stephen Upton, known as Fred Upton, is an American politician who served as a United States Representative from Michigan for 18 terms, from 1987 until his retirement in 2023. A member of the Republican Party, he represented Kalamazoo and much of southwestern Michigan, becoming one of the longest-serving members of the state’s congressional delegation. Upton is widely recognized for chairing the House Energy and Commerce Committee and for being the only person in U.S. history to have voted to impeach two presidents, supporting the impeachment of Bill Clinton in 1998 and the second impeachment of Donald Trump in 2021.
Throughout his career, Upton built a reputation as a moderate Republican willing to break with his party on high-profile votes, including bipartisan health care, infrastructure, and election-related measures. After the retirement of Sander Levin at the end of the 115th Congress, Upton became the dean of Michigan’s congressional delegation, a position reflecting his seniority and experience in the House of Representatives.
Early Life and Background
Frederick Stephen Upton was born on April 23, 1953, in St. Joseph, Michigan, to Stephen Edward Upton and Elizabeth B. Upton, née Vial. His father, Stephen Edward Upton, lived until 2022 and remained a notable figure in the family throughout Fred’s life. The Upton family had deep roots in southwestern Michigan, with strong ties to the appliance industry and the broader business community of the region.
Upton attended Shattuck-Saint Mary’s, a boarding school in Minnesota, graduating in 1971. He then enrolled at the University of Michigan, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism in 1975. During his time in college, Upton was a member of the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity, Peninsular Chapter, and worked as a sports editor at The Michigan Daily. In those years he dreamed of one day covering the Chicago Cubs, a passion he carried into adulthood.
Path to U.S. Politics
After completing his education, Upton moved into public service through a connection with U.S. Representative David Stockman. From 1976 to 1980, he served on Stockman’s congressional staff, gaining firsthand experience in legislative work and federal policymaking. When Stockman was appointed Director of the Office of Management and Budget under President Ronald Reagan, Upton followed him into the executive branch, working in the OMB from 1981 to 1985.
These formative years in Washington prepared Upton for a career of his own in electoral politics. His experience in both legislative and budgetary roles gave him a practical understanding of how federal policy is developed and implemented, setting the stage for his successful run for Congress in 1986.
Fred Upton Career
Early Career (1987–1994)
Fred Upton first entered Congress in 1987 by running in Michigan’s 4th congressional district against the incumbent Mark Siljander, who had succeeded David Stockman. Upton won the Republican primary with 55 percent of the vote and went on to claim the general election with 62 percent, beginning what would become one of the longest tenures in Michigan congressional history.
He quickly established himself as a reliable vote for his district, winning reelection to a second term with 71 percent of the vote and to a third term with 58 percent. In his early campaigns, Upton also navigated a competitive primary against Ed Fredricks, defeating him 63 percent to 37 percent, demonstrating strong grassroots support within the Republican Party.
Legislative Breakthrough and Committee Leadership (1995–2010)
After redistricting, Upton’s district was renumbered as the 6th district, absorbing a large portion of the Kalamazoo-based 3rd district previously represented by Democrat Howard Wolpe. The geographic shift placed Kalamazoo firmly within Upton’s territory, and he continued to win comfortably, securing a fourth term with 62 percent of the vote. He later faced a primary challenge from State Senator Dale Shugars and won decisively, 66 percent to 32 percent, before capturing the general election with 69 percent.
During these years, Upton rose through the ranks of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, an influential panel with jurisdiction over health care, energy, telecommunications, and consumer protection. He also joined moderate Republican factions such as the Tuesday Group and the Republican Main Street Partnership, coalitions that worked with Democrats on bipartisan initiatives. In 2007, he co-sponsored the Energy Independence and Security Act, which mandated phased-in energy efficiency standards for most light bulbs, a measure signed into law by President George W. Bush.
Committee Chairmanship and Bipartisan Work (2011–2018)
By 2011, Upton had become chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, a position he used to shape major legislative efforts. In 2013, he introduced a bill to expand the Food and Drug Administration’s authority over drug compounding in response to the New England Compounding Center meningitis outbreak. Two years later, in 2016, President Barack Obama signed the 21st Century Cures Act into law, a bill Upton co-sponsored that established funds for biomedical research and a strategic plan for medical innovation.
Upton also engaged with environmental and energy policy, introducing the North American Energy Infrastructure Act in 2013 to streamline cross-border pipeline permits. He co-authored H.R. 910, the Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011, which sought to limit the Environmental Protection Agency’s authority over greenhouse gas emissions. His work brought national attention, including criticism from The Los Angeles Times in 2011, which described him as one of the biggest threats to climate progress in Congress. In 2018, Upton joined the Climate Solutions Caucus, signaling a shift in his approach to environmental issues.
Final Term and Retirement (2019–2023)
In his final years in Congress, Upton continued to break with his party on several high-profile votes. In 2019, he was one of seven Republicans to support legislation that funded government services and ended a government shutdown. In 2021, he was one of 13 House Republicans to vote with Democrats in favor of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. He also voted for the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021, becoming one of eight Republicans to support the measure.
On January 12, 2021, Upton announced that he would vote to impeach President Donald Trump for inciting the January 6 United States Capitol attack, becoming the fourth House Republican to declare support for impeachment. He cast his vote the following day alongside nine other Republicans, drawing censure from the Allegan County and Cass County Republican Parties. Later that year, in October 2024, Upton endorsed Kamala Harris for president, calling Trump unfit to serve. Following the 2020 census, Michigan’s congressional map was redrawn, and Upton announced on April 4, 2022, that he would not seek a 19th term, retiring at the end of the 117th Congress in January 2023.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most defining moments of Upton’s career came on January 13, 2021, when he voted to impeach President Trump, making him one of only ten House Republicans to do so. That vote, combined with his 1998 vote to impeach President Bill Clinton, established Upton as the only person in American history to have voted to impeach two different presidents. His willingness to break with party leadership on major national issues defined his legacy as a centrist Republican.
Fred Upton Career Wins
Fred Upton won 18 consecutive general elections for the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Michigan’s 4th and later 6th congressional districts from 1987 to 2023. Across those campaigns, he consistently secured more than 50 percent of the vote, often defeating Democratic challengers by wide margins. His electoral strength reflected both his personal popularity in southwestern Michigan and the durable Republican lean of his district.
Congressional Election Highlights
Upton’s first congressional victory came in 1986, when he defeated incumbent Mark Siljander in the Republican primary and won the general election with 62 percent of the vote. His strongest showings followed redistricting in 1992 and 2000, where he earned 71 percent and 69 percent respectively, demonstrating deep support across the region’s political map. In his most competitive race, the 2016 election, Upton was reelected with 50.2 percent of the vote against Democratic nominee Matt Longjohn, a margin that highlighted the political shifts occurring in his district.
Other Wins and Achievements
Beyond electoral success, Upton achieved significant legislative accomplishments, including the enactment of the 21st Century Cures Act in 2016 and the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. His role as chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee placed him at the center of debates over health care, energy, and telecommunications reform, giving him influence far beyond the boundaries of his Michigan district.
Fred Upton Family
Family Background and Lineage
Fred Upton was born into a family with deep roots in southwestern Michigan business and industry. His grandfather, Frederick Upton, served as vice president of the Whirlpool Corporation, the appliance manufacturer headquartered in Benton Harbor, Michigan, and founded by his great-uncle Louis Upton. This connection to one of the region’s largest employers helped shape Upton’s understanding of the local economy and the concerns of working families in his district.
Upton is also related to supermodel Kate Upton, who is his niece, a connection that brought occasional public attention to the family. According to Open Secrets, Upton had a net worth of $78 million in 2018, making him one of the wealthiest members of Congress during his time in office.
Personal Life
Fred Upton married Amey Rulon-Miller in 1983, and the couple has two children. Upton is a practicing Congregationalist and a longtime supporter of Michigan Wolverines athletics, as well as an enthusiastic fan of the Chicago Cubs baseball team. He is also a member of the Emil Verban Society, an organization that recognizes dedicated supporters of the Cubs.