Bart Stupak
Encyclopedia
Bartholomew Thomas "Bart" Stupak (ˈstuːpæk; born February 29, 1952) is a lobbyist and American
politician of the Democratic Party
. He served as the U.S. Representative
from from 1993 to 2011.
Stupak chose not to seek re-election in 2010. He departed Congress in January 2011, and was succeeded by Dr. Dan Benishek
, a surgeon from the Upper Peninsula. He is now a lobbyist with Venable LLP
.
in 1970. He is an Eagle Scout
. He earned his Associate's degree
from Northwestern Michigan College
, a community college in Traverse City
in 1972. He earned his Bachelor's degree
in Criminal Justice from Saginaw Valley State University
in 1977, graduating magna cum laude, and he earned a law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School
in Lansing, Michigan
in 1981. He worked as an Escanaba
police officer in 1972. Stupak later served as a Michigan State Police
Trooper from 1973 to 1984. He also practiced law.
, Delta
, and Dickinson
counties, defeating two-term Republican Jim Connors. In 1990, Stupak ran for state senator but lost a hotly contested primary
to eventual general election winner Don Koivisto
.
During his service in Congress, Stupak sponsored 36 bills, but none became law. He cosponsored 157 bills, 5 of which were enacted into law. He voted with the members of his party 96% of the time, andabstained from 5% of the votes. Because of the 1st District's extensive amount of Great Lakes
shoreline (over 1,600 miles), Stupak was very active on issues related to the protection of the Great Lakes, including opposing sale or diversion of Great Lakes water and drilling for oil and gas under the lakes.
put forth by President Obama
; however, Stupak feared that under the insurance system to be established, federal funds would indirectly pay for abortion
services. Therefore, Stupak and Republican Congressman Joseph R. Pitts
submitted an amendment known as the Stupak-Pitts Amendment to prohibit such payments. The Stupak-Pitts Amendment was adopted by the House of Representatives, but a similar provision was not included in the Senate version of the health reform legislation (known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
). Stupak announced that he and several other Democratic representatives who supported health reform legislation, but opposed abortion, would not vote for the final version of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act if the Stupak-Pitts Amendment was not included in it. The ensuing controversy made Stupak "perhaps the single most important rank-and-file House member in passing the bill."
Stupak's position on the issue of abortion funding was strongly opposed by abortion advocates who held a "Stop Stupak" rally on Capitol Hill in December 2009. In the ensuing months, Stupak publicly stated that the pressure and opposition he received in regard to his abortion stance on the health reform legislation had caused him to unplug the phone at his house due to "obscene phone calls and threats" and had made his life a "living hell." "My staff is overwhelmed and we're accosted basically wherever we go by people who disagree," Stupak added.
In March 2010, President Obama and Stupak reached an understanding whereby the President promised to sign an Executive Order that purported to bar federal funding of abortion through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and Stupak and several of his allies promised to withdraw their opposition to the bill. Stupak's reversal was criticized by anti-abortion groups who argued that the Executive Order would not be effective. Pro-life organizations accused Stupak of having betrayed the pro-life movement, and the Susan B. Anthony List
revoked a pro-life award it had planned to give to him and ran $150,000.00 worth
of radio advertisements against him. Following Stupak's April 2010 announcement of his retirement, conservative groups pointed to the political consequences of his alleged abandonment of his pro-life position as a possible reason for his decision. However, Stupak himself attributed the exertion of constant travel back and forth from Washington, D.C. as a primary reason for his decision to retire.
facility of The Fellowship (also known as The Family), a Christian fraternal organization. The Fellowship has been the subject of controversy over its claimed tax status as a church, the ownership of the property and its connection to the Fellowship, and the reportedly subsidized benefits the facility provides to members of Congress.
Jeff Sharlet
, author of a book about The Fellowship, said, "When I lived with The Family at Ivanwald, a house for younger men being groomed for leadership, I was told that Stupak was a regular visitor to the Cedars." The Cedars, according to the Washington Independent, is also owned by The Family and hosts weekly prayer events. Stupak has denied any affiliation with the Family and appeared to deny knowledge of the organization, stating "I don’t belong to any such group" and that "I don’t know what you’re talking about, [The] Family and all this other stuff."
retired. He had represented the Michigan 11th Congressional district, covering the Upper Peninsula, which due to reapportionment was now the 1st district. Stupak won the heavily contested Democratic primary, and defeated former Republican Representative Philip Ruppe
in the general election.
Stupak defeated Republican Don Hooper of Iron River
in the 2002
, 2004
and 2006 elections
, and Republican Tom Casperson
In 2008.
On April 9, 2010, Stupak announced that he would not run for re-election, and that he would retire from Congress at the end of his then-current term.
, with his wife, Laurie, who is a former mayor of Menominee, and unsuccessful candidate for the Michigan House of Representatives. Laurie Stupak was defeated by Tom Casperson
. In 2008 Casperson unsuccessfully challenged Bart Stupak, the incumbent for Michigan's 1st Congressional district seat in the United States House of Representatives
.
The Stupaks' son Ken graduated from Pepperdine University
's School of Law in 2006 and resides in California. Their other son, Bart Jr., committed suicide
in May 2000. Congressman Stupak testified before the House Energy and Commerce Committee's
Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee
during a 2002 hearing on the safety of Accutane, an acne medication, which he believes contributed to his son's death.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician of the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
. He served as the U.S. Representative
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from from 1993 to 2011.
Stupak chose not to seek re-election in 2010. He departed Congress in January 2011, and was succeeded by Dr. Dan Benishek
Dan Benishek
Daniel Joseph Benishek is an American physician and politician currently serving as the U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Republican Party.-Early life, education, and medical career:...
, a surgeon from the Upper Peninsula. He is now a lobbyist with Venable LLP
Venable LLP
Venable LLP is a law firm formerly known as Venable, Baetjer & Howard LLP. The firm is . It was founded in Baltimore in 1900. Today the firm maintains 7 offices throughout the country and includes over 500 attorneys practicing in over covering corporate and business law, complex litigation,...
.
Early life, education and career
Stupak was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and graduated from Gladstone High School in Gladstone, MichiganGladstone, Michigan
Gladstone is a city in Delta County in the U.S. state of Michigan. First settled in 1877, Gladstone's original name was Saunders Point. The population was 5,032 at the 2000 census....
in 1970. He is an Eagle Scout
Eagle Scout (Boy Scouts of America)
Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America . A Scout who attains this rank is called an Eagle Scout or Eagle. Since its introduction in 1911, the Eagle Scout rank has been earned by more than 2 million young men...
. He earned his Associate's degree
Associate's degree
An associate degree is an undergraduate academic degree awarded by community colleges, junior colleges, technical colleges, and bachelor's degree-granting colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study usually lasting two years...
from Northwestern Michigan College
Northwestern Michigan College
Founded in 1951, Northwestern Michigan College, known as NMC to local residents, is a community college in Traverse City, Grand Traverse County, Michigan. Its annual enrollment is around 5,100 students...
, a community college in Traverse City
Traverse City, Michigan
Traverse City is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the county seat of Grand Traverse County, although a small portion extends into Leelanau County. It is the largest city in the 21-county Northern Michigan region. The population was 14,674 at the 2010 census, with 143,372 in the Traverse...
in 1972. He earned his Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in Criminal Justice from Saginaw Valley State University
Saginaw Valley State University
Saginaw Valley State University, commonly known as SVSU, is a state university in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located in the middle of Michigan's lower peninsula in the Saginaw Valley region. The university is located in Kochville Township, Saginaw County...
in 1977, graduating magna cum laude, and he earned a law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School
Thomas M. Cooley Law School
Thomas M. Cooley Law School is an American Bar Association accredited law school in the United States. Located in Michigan, its main campus is in Lansing, and its satellite campuses are in Ann Arbor, Auburn Hills, and Grand Rapids. Cooley plans on opening another satellite campus in Tampa Bay,...
in Lansing, Michigan
Lansing, Michigan
Lansing is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located mostly in Ingham County, although small portions of the city extend into Eaton County. The 2010 Census places the city's population at 114,297, making it the fifth largest city in Michigan...
in 1981. He worked as an Escanaba
Escanaba, Michigan
Escanaba is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan, located in the banana belt on the state's Upper Peninsula. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 13,140, making it the third-largest city in the Upper Peninsula after Marquette and Sault Ste. Marie...
police officer in 1972. Stupak later served as a Michigan State Police
Michigan State Police
The Michigan State Police is the state police agency for the state of Michigan. The MSP is a full service law enforcement agency with its sworn members having full police powers statewide....
Trooper from 1973 to 1984. He also practiced law.
Michigan legislature
In 1988, Stupak was elected a Michigan State Representative, representing MenomineeMenominee County, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 25,326 people, 10,529 households, and 7,001 families residing in the county. The population density was 24 people per square mile . There were 13,639 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile...
, Delta
Delta County, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 38,520 people, 15,836 households, and 10,689 families residing in the county. The population density was 33 people per square mile . There were 19,223 housing units at an average density of 16 per square mile...
, and Dickinson
Dickinson County, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 27,472 people, 11,386 households, and 7,583 families residing in the county. The population density was 36 people per square mile . There were 13,702 housing units at an average density of 18 per square mile...
counties, defeating two-term Republican Jim Connors. In 1990, Stupak ran for state senator but lost a hotly contested primary
Primary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
to eventual general election winner Don Koivisto
Don Koivisto
Donald W. Koivisto is a Democratic politician from the U.S. state of Michigan.- Political career :In August 2007, The Michigan Commission of Agriculture appointed Koivisto Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture....
.
Committee assignments
- Committee on Energy and CommerceUnited States House Committee on Energy and CommerceThe Committee on Energy and Commerce is one of the oldest standing committees of the United States House of Representatives. Established in 1795, it has operated continuously—with various name changes and jurisdictional changes—for more than 200 years...
- Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer ProtectionUnited States House Energy Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer ProtectionThe House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade is a subcommittee within the Committee on Energy and Commerce. It is chaired by Mary Bono Mack of California's .-Jurisdiction:...
- Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet
- Subcommittee on Oversight and InvestigationUnited States House Energy Subcommittee on Oversight and InvestigationsThe U.S. House Energy Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations is a subcommittee within the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.-Jurisdiction:...
(Chairman)
- Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection
Caucus memberships
- Founder and Co-chair of the Law Enforcement Caucus
- Co-chair of the Congressional Northern Border Caucus
- Member, Congressional Motorcycle Safety CaucusCongressional Motorcycle Safety CaucusThe Congressional Motorcycle Safety Caucus is a bipartisan caucus of the United States House of Representatives.-Founding and Members:The caucus founders and co-chairs are Representatives Michael Burgess and Gabrielle Giffords...
During his service in Congress, Stupak sponsored 36 bills, but none became law. He cosponsored 157 bills, 5 of which were enacted into law. He voted with the members of his party 96% of the time, andabstained from 5% of the votes. Because of the 1st District's extensive amount of Great Lakes
Great Lakes
The Great Lakes are a collection of freshwater lakes located in northeastern North America, on the Canada – United States border. Consisting of Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, they form the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth by total surface, coming in second by volume...
shoreline (over 1,600 miles), Stupak was very active on issues related to the protection of the Great Lakes, including opposing sale or diversion of Great Lakes water and drilling for oil and gas under the lakes.
Financial system
In 2009, Stupak voted against the Dodd-Franks bill to expand Federal regulation and oversight of the US financial system, which was introduced after the US financial and banking crisis of that year.Civil liberties
Stupak voted for the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009, which expanded the definition of hate crimes to include sexual orientation and gender identity.Health care
Stupak expressed a desire to support the 2009 health care reform billAffordable Health Care for America Act
The Affordable Health Care for America Act was a bill that was crafted by the United States House of Representatives in November 2009. At the encouragement of the Obama administration, the 111th Congress devoted much of its time to enacting reform of the United States' health care system...
put forth by President Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
; however, Stupak feared that under the insurance system to be established, federal funds would indirectly pay for abortion
Abortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
services. Therefore, Stupak and Republican Congressman Joseph R. Pitts
Joseph R. Pitts
Joseph R. "Joe" Pitts is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1997. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district is based in Lancaster and includes much of Amish country...
submitted an amendment known as the Stupak-Pitts Amendment to prohibit such payments. The Stupak-Pitts Amendment was adopted by the House of Representatives, but a similar provision was not included in the Senate version of the health reform legislation (known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is a United States federal statute signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010. The law is the principal health care reform legislation of the 111th United States Congress...
). Stupak announced that he and several other Democratic representatives who supported health reform legislation, but opposed abortion, would not vote for the final version of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act if the Stupak-Pitts Amendment was not included in it. The ensuing controversy made Stupak "perhaps the single most important rank-and-file House member in passing the bill."
Stupak's position on the issue of abortion funding was strongly opposed by abortion advocates who held a "Stop Stupak" rally on Capitol Hill in December 2009. In the ensuing months, Stupak publicly stated that the pressure and opposition he received in regard to his abortion stance on the health reform legislation had caused him to unplug the phone at his house due to "obscene phone calls and threats" and had made his life a "living hell." "My staff is overwhelmed and we're accosted basically wherever we go by people who disagree," Stupak added.
In March 2010, President Obama and Stupak reached an understanding whereby the President promised to sign an Executive Order that purported to bar federal funding of abortion through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and Stupak and several of his allies promised to withdraw their opposition to the bill. Stupak's reversal was criticized by anti-abortion groups who argued that the Executive Order would not be effective. Pro-life organizations accused Stupak of having betrayed the pro-life movement, and the Susan B. Anthony List
Susan B. Anthony List
The Susan B. Anthony List, or simply SBA List, is a 501 non-profit, non-partisan organization that seeks to eliminate abortion in the U.S. by supporting pro-life politicians, primarily women, through its SBA List Candidate Fund political action committee...
revoked a pro-life award it had planned to give to him and ran $150,000.00 worth
of radio advertisements against him. Following Stupak's April 2010 announcement of his retirement, conservative groups pointed to the political consequences of his alleged abandonment of his pro-life position as a possible reason for his decision. However, Stupak himself attributed the exertion of constant travel back and forth from Washington, D.C. as a primary reason for his decision to retire.
Apartment controversy
Stupak rented a room at "C Street", a Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
facility of The Fellowship (also known as The Family), a Christian fraternal organization. The Fellowship has been the subject of controversy over its claimed tax status as a church, the ownership of the property and its connection to the Fellowship, and the reportedly subsidized benefits the facility provides to members of Congress.
Jeff Sharlet
Jeff Sharlet
Jeff Sharlet is an American journalist, bestselling author, and academic best known for writing about religious subcultures in the United States. He is a contributing editor for Harper's and Rolling Stone...
, author of a book about The Fellowship, said, "When I lived with The Family at Ivanwald, a house for younger men being groomed for leadership, I was told that Stupak was a regular visitor to the Cedars." The Cedars, according to the Washington Independent, is also owned by The Family and hosts weekly prayer events. Stupak has denied any affiliation with the Family and appeared to deny knowledge of the organization, stating "I don’t belong to any such group" and that "I don’t know what you’re talking about, [The] Family and all this other stuff."
Political campaigns
In 1992, incumbent Republican Representative Robert William DavisRobert William Davis
Robert William "Bob" Davis was an American politician from the state of Michigan. He represented the state's 11th congressional district, which at that time included the Upper Peninsula and a large portion of Northern Michigan, in the United States House of Representatives from 1979 until...
retired. He had represented the Michigan 11th Congressional district, covering the Upper Peninsula, which due to reapportionment was now the 1st district. Stupak won the heavily contested Democratic primary, and defeated former Republican Representative Philip Ruppe
Philip Ruppe
Philip Edward Ruppe is a former politician from the U.S. state of Michigan and a member of the Republican Party. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1967 to 1979 before running, unsuccessfully for the United States Senate in 1982. He is a Korean War veteran, having served as a...
in the general election.
Stupak defeated Republican Don Hooper of Iron River
Iron River, Michigan
Iron River is a city in Iron County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 1,929. The U.S. Census Bureau 2006 population estimate for this city was 3,122....
in the 2002
United States House elections, 2004
Elections to the United States House of Representatives for the 109th Congress were held on November 2, 2004. The House of Representatives has 435 seats. It coincided with the reelection of President George W. Bush. In the 108th Congress, Republicans held 227 seats, Democrats held 205, with two...
, 2004
United States House elections, 2004
Elections to the United States House of Representatives for the 109th Congress were held on November 2, 2004. The House of Representatives has 435 seats. It coincided with the reelection of President George W. Bush. In the 108th Congress, Republicans held 227 seats, Democrats held 205, with two...
and 2006 elections
United States House elections, 2006 complete list
Elections to the United States House of Representatives for the 110th Congress were held on November 7, 2006. The House of Representatives has 435 seats. In the 109th Congress, Republicans held 229 seats, Democrats held 201, with one independent...
, and Republican Tom Casperson
Tom Casperson
Tom Casperson is a politician from the State of Michigan. He was a Republican member of the Michigan State House of Representatives, representing the 108th district, which is located in the Upper Peninsula and includes Delta County, Menominee County, and Dickinson County.-Early life:Casperson was...
In 2008.
On April 9, 2010, Stupak announced that he would not run for re-election, and that he would retire from Congress at the end of his then-current term.
Campaign funding
Electric utilities and health care professionals were among the top four industries contributing to his campaigns in 2006, 2008 and 2010. Of his top 20 largest contributors throughout his political career, 16 were unions and associations, two were energy companies, one was an insurance company and one was a telecommunications firm.Electoral history
- 1992 Democratic primary for Congress
- Bart Stupak, 48.63%
- Mike McElroy, 43.11%
- Daniel Herringa, 8.27%
- 1992 general election
- Bart Stupak (D), 53.93%
- Philip RuppePhilip RuppePhilip Edward Ruppe is a former politician from the U.S. state of Michigan and a member of the Republican Party. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1967 to 1979 before running, unsuccessfully for the United States Senate in 1982. He is a Korean War veteran, having served as a...
(R), 43.58% - Gerald Aydlott (LLibertarian Party (United States)The Libertarian Party is the third largest and fastest growing political party in the United States. The political platform of the Libertarian Party reflects its brand of libertarianism, favoring minimally regulated, laissez-faire markets, strong civil liberties, minimally regulated migration...
), 1.52% - Lyman Clark (NL), 0.96%
- 1994 general election
- Bart Stupak (D), 56.86%
- Gil Ziegler (R), 41.99%
- Michael McPeak (NL), 1.12%
- 1996 general election
- Bart Stupak (D), 70.68%
- Bob Carr (R), 27.24%
- Michael C. Oleniczak (L), 1.10%
- Wendy Conway (NL), 0.96%
- 1998 general election
- Bart Stupak (D), 58.67%
- Michelle McManusMichelle McManus (Michigan politician)Michelle A. McManus is a Republican politician from the U.S. state of Michigan. Most recently, she was a member and assistant majority leader of the Michigan Senate, representing the 35th District; a seat previously held by her uncle George McManus, from 2003 until 2011.In 2010, she unsuccessfully...
(R), 39.51% - John W. Loosemore (L), 1.04%
- Wendy Conway (NL), 0.78%
- 2000 general election
- Bart Stupak (D), 58.39%
- Chuck YobChuck YobChuck Yob, born February 14, 1937 near Hesperia, Michigan, is a Republican National Committee member from the State of Michigan being elected to the post in 1989. He is frequently quoted in the media as an expert on internal Republican politics and is well known for his influence on party...
(R), 40.37% - Wendy Conway (NL), 0.63%
- John W. Loosemore (L), 0.61%
- Sven Johnson (I), 0.01%
- 2002 campaign for Congress
- Bart Stupak (D), 67.67%
- Don Hooper (R), 31.10%
- John W. Loosemore (L), 1.23%
- 2004 general election
- Bart Stupak (D), 65.57%
- Don Hooper (R), 32.76%
- David J. Newland (GGreen Party (United States)The Green Party of the United States is a nationally recognized political party which officially formed in 1991. It is a voluntary association of state green parties. Prior to national formation, many state affiliates had already formed and were recognized by other state parties...
), 0.96% - John W. Loosemore (L), 0.71%
- 2006 general election
- Bart Stupak (D), 69.43%
- Don Hooper (R), 27.99%
- Joshua J. Warren (Tax.U.S. Taxpayers Party of MichiganThe U.S. Taxpayers Party of Michigan is the Michigan affiliate of the Constitution Party. Like its national counterpart, the U.S. Taxpayers Party of Michigan is a strongly constitutional party and is committed to the principals of Biblical law...
), 0.88% - David J. Newland (G), 0.87%
- Kenneth L. Proctor (L), 0.85%
- 2008 general election
- Bart Stupak (D), 65.04%
- Tom CaspersonTom CaspersonTom Casperson is a politician from the State of Michigan. He was a Republican member of the Michigan State House of Representatives, representing the 108th district, which is located in the Upper Peninsula and includes Delta County, Menominee County, and Dickinson County.-Early life:Casperson was...
(R), 32.74% - Jean Treacy (S/G), 0.81%
- Dan Grow (L), 0.77%
- Joshua J. Warren (Tax.), 0.63%
Personal life
Stupak lives in Menominee, MichiganMenominee, Michigan
Menominee is a city in the Upper Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 9,131. It is the county seat of Menominee County. Menominee is the fourth-largest city in the Upper Peninsula, behind Marquette, Sault Ste. Marie, and Escanaba...
, with his wife, Laurie, who is a former mayor of Menominee, and unsuccessful candidate for the Michigan House of Representatives. Laurie Stupak was defeated by Tom Casperson
Tom Casperson
Tom Casperson is a politician from the State of Michigan. He was a Republican member of the Michigan State House of Representatives, representing the 108th district, which is located in the Upper Peninsula and includes Delta County, Menominee County, and Dickinson County.-Early life:Casperson was...
. In 2008 Casperson unsuccessfully challenged Bart Stupak, the incumbent for Michigan's 1st Congressional district seat in the United States House of Representatives
Michigan's 1st congressional district
Michigan's 1st congressional district is a United States Congressional district containing the entire Upper Peninsula of Michigan as well as part of the Lower Peninsula. Currently the district is represented by Republican Dan Benishek.-Geography:...
.
The Stupaks' son Ken graduated from Pepperdine University
Pepperdine University
Pepperdine University is an independent, private, medium-sized university affiliated with the Churches of Christ. The university's campus overlooking the Pacific Ocean in unincorporated Los Angeles County, California, United States, near Malibu, is the location for Seaver College, the School of...
's School of Law in 2006 and resides in California. Their other son, Bart Jr., committed suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
in May 2000. Congressman Stupak testified before the House Energy and Commerce Committee's
United States House Committee on Energy and Commerce
The Committee on Energy and Commerce is one of the oldest standing committees of the United States House of Representatives. Established in 1795, it has operated continuously—with various name changes and jurisdictional changes—for more than 200 years...
Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee
United States House Energy Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
The U.S. House Energy Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations is a subcommittee within the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.-Jurisdiction:...
during a 2002 hearing on the safety of Accutane, an acne medication, which he believes contributed to his son's death.
External links
- Bart Stupak for Congress official campaign site
- "Divine Impulses: Rep. Bart Stupak on pro-life political 'hypocrisy'", video interview with Sally QuinnSally QuinnSally Sterling Quinn is an American author and journalist, who writes about religion for a blog at The Washington Post.-Personal:...
from The Washington PostThe Washington PostThe Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...