Representative Fred Upton, Republican of St Joseph Michigan in United States Congress, “announced Tuesday he was stepping down after his current term,” per Detroit Free Press earlier today.

Todd Spangler reported in a piece titled, “Rep Fred Upton announces retirement from Congress, has been in US House since 1987,” that “the timing came as a surprise,” although the action “was widely suspected.” Indeed; on February 22, Paul Egan wrote: “Veteran Michigan Congressman Fred Upton, R-St Joseph, has begun airing TV ads in a move that increases the likelihood he will seek reelection in the new 4th Congressional District.

The $213,000 broadcast and cable TV ad buy in western Michigan will last for a week, and is likely to be extended, officials said.

Now the Free Press has noted that former President Donald Trump “had vowed to try to unseat Upton after he, along with nine other Republicans, voted to impeach Trump for instigating the Jan 6 2021 attack on the US Capitol.

In an email after the announcement, Trump crowed, ‘Upton Quits!’ 4 down and 6 to go’ ….