Michigan Democrat Bart Stupak has decided to retire after 9 terms in congress. In a statement he denied that his choice to not seek re-election had anything to do with his Health care vote. Stupak is considered to be one 
of the conservative congressman in the Democrat party. Many of his constituents expected that he would hold firm on his health care vote because language suggested that some government funding of Abortions could take place. Stupak made a deal that required the President to sign an Executive order that would limit government funds.
Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.), who played a central role in the health reform fight as the leader of anti-abortion Democrats, announced Friday afternoon that he will not run for reelection, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family. Without Stupak on the ballot, the seat becomes an immediate pickup opportunity for Republicans.
At a press conference in his home district this afternoon, Stupak attributed the exertion of traveling back and forth from Washington to his sprawling Upper Peninsula district as a primary reason for his retirement but also said that he had completed much of what he aimed to do in Congress.
“I’ve accomplished what I want to do. Either I run again and I’d be there forever or it’s time for me to make the break; it’s time for me to move on,” Stupak said.
But Republicans immediately attributed Stupak’s decision to step down as a direct consequence of his health care vote.
Read more: Mike Allen and Josh Kraushaar – POLITICO.com.
