Democrats can still win Upper Peninsula, Stupak says

Appearing this afternoon with wife Laurie at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, nine-term Congressman Bart Stupak has confirmed he will not seek re-election.

Stupak saud he's accomplished what he wanted to in Washington and wants to spend more time with his wife of 36 years.

"I'm young enough, I'm at the crossroads in my life where I can do other things," he said. "It's time for me to make the break. It's time for me to move on."

Stupak said he made the decision on Wednesday night after spending a lot of time with his family over the Easter weekend at the NCAA Final Four.

He said his decision wasn't affected by threats of physical violence after the recent debate over health care reform.

He said those threats clearly came from outside his 1st Congressional District. "I know these folks. They wouldn't do that."

Stupak said he will serve the eight months remaining in his term before deciding on a future career.

He's not worried that his seat will now be taken by the Republicans. Stupak said he's seen the Republican field and isn't impressed.

He has no doubt the Democrats can field a candidate capable of winning the Upper Peninsula.

Meanwhile, the following statement about Stupak's retirement from Congress was issued by Dr. Dan Benishek, a Republican candidate contesting Stupak's seat,

************************* Statement by Dr. Dan Benishek regarding retirement of Representative Bart Stupak

IRON RIVER, MI – "Today we learned that Representative Bart Stupak announced his retirement. I wish him and his family all of the best. My intention when I got into this race was not to run against Bart Stupak, but to run for the people of the 1st District who feel that Washington is out of control because it is run by people who are out of touch. Washington is still broken, with or without Bart Stupak. “Northern Michiganders are still suffering from some of the nation's highest unemployment, they are still trapped by mortgages they can't get out from under, and every day they are watching their children leave Michigan for brighter futures someplace else. I say enough is enough, and I urge every voter in Northern Michigan to join my campaign to change the direction of this country." Dr. Dan Benishek is a surgeon from Iron River, Michigan and a Republican candidate for Congress in Michigan’s 1st Congressional District. Please visit our website at BenishekforCongress.com *************************