Upton seen as vulnerable
Published 9:34 pm Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Jack Hoogendyk isn’t alone in thinking he has a good shot at unseating 25-year Congressman Fred Upton in the 6th District congressional primary.
Upton was named the fourth most vulnerable incumbent Congressman by the Washington Post this week.
The report notes Hoogendyk earned 43 percent of the vote in the 2010 primary against Upton, despite being heavily outspent. It also points out Hoogendyk could benefit if he earns the support of the Conservative group, Club for Growth.
“The Washington Post confirmed what conservatives in Michigan have known for years. Fred Upton is not a conservative and he does not represent the people of the 6th Congressional District,” said Hoogendyk in a press release Tuesday. “His conservative ‘batting average’ with conservative groups like the Heritage Foundation is 50 percent.”
Hoogendyk said he is “in this race to win it.”
Former presidential candidate Herman Cain will campaign with Hoogendyk Thursday in Benton Harbor and Kalamazoo.
Meanwhile, Upton is scheduled to make appearances in St. Joseph and Kalamazoo today for Small Business Boost Roadshows.
Upton has distributed several mailers throughout the district attacking Hoogendyk’s voting record from his time on the Michigan House of Representatives and the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners.