/https://specials-images.forbesimg.com/imageserve/6137b0d5d880c832bc221145/0x0.jpg?cropX1=0&cropX2=2502&cropY1=27&cropY2=1434 "Ex-President Endorses Challenger To Fourth Republican Who Voted For Impeachment")
Topline
Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday endorsed a primary challenger to Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.), the fourth time he’s targeted a Republican lawmaker who voted for his impeachment or conviction earlier this year, and likely not the last.
UNITED STATES – SEPTEMBER 15: Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., joined by other members of the Problem … [+]
Key Facts
Trump asserted in a statement Upton has “not done the job that our Country needs” and “for years has talked about leaving office and not running again,” adding that he “doesn’t deserve to keep his seat.”
Trump specifically cited the fact that Upton was one of the 10 House Republicans who voted in January to impeach Trump for inciting the Capitol riot, calling the charges “rigged up.”
The recipient of Trump’s endorsement is Michigan State Rep. Steve Carra, who in June introduced legislation to create a “forensic audit” of the 2020 election in Michigan, a key state whose 16 electoral votes contributed to President Joe Biden’s victory over Trump.
Forbes has reached out to Upton’s campaign for comment.
Key Background
Trump has previously endorsed primary challengers to Reps. Anthony Gonzalez (R-Ohio) and Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-Wash.), who voted for impeachment, as well as Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), one of seven Senate Republicans who voted to convict Trump in February and the only one up for reelection in 2022. Trump has also signaled plans to endorse a challenger to Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), one of his most vocal GOP critics, in the coming months.
