Congressman Bart Stupak, a democrat and member of the House of Representatives, announced Friday, April 9 at a press conference in the Superior Dome that he wouldn’t seek re-election when his term expires in November.

Stupak said he reached the decision on Wednesday, April 7 to step down after 18 years of holding Michigan’s 1st district seat, citing the recent approval of the health care reform bill as a major factor in his decision, something he said has been working to pass in Congress since first taking office in 1992.

“We finally accomplished what I set out to do 18 years ago. We passed comprehensive national health care reform,” he said. “Throughout the past year, I’ve worked alongside my colleagues to achieve health care reform, and I’m proud to have helped bring it across the finish line.”

Stupak said he wanted to step down to spend more time with his wife, Laurie, who also spoke at the press conference.

Stupak, started his public service career as an Escanaba Mich. police officer, is credited with raising debate regarding the health care bill’s stance on federally funded abortions, which he opposed. He later voted to approve the health care bill after he felt assured by an executive order from President Obama that funding for abortion wouldn’t come from tax dollars.

Upon raising these concerns about the bill, Stupak received numerous threats from angry citizens for changing his stance on the health care bill, but said he still believes he could be re-elected if he had chosen to run for a 10th term, since he thinks that most of the threats came from outside his district.

“I’ve enjoyed almost every minute,” he said. “I have never been afraid to make tough decisions.”

The first district of Michigan covers the entire Upper Peninsula and the Northern part of the Lower Peninsula. An area which Stupak said he believes can continue to be represented by a member of the Democratic Party.

“I’m committed to helping the Democrats retain this seat,” he said. “…I believe we must continue to fight for our working families and small businesses, our economic and national security, for our Great Lakes and for our quality of life.”

NMU president Les Wong, who was one of several people to introduce Stupak at the press conference, credited Stupak with supporting the USOEC and WiMax programs at NMU.

“He cares about the health and vitality of our university,” he said. “We are in his eyes, a hidden jewel.”

Lindsay Hagner, a senior marketing major, didn’t grow up in Michigan but said she was impressed with what she had learned about Stupak’s achievements as a member of the House of Representatives.

“I don’t follow politics a lot, so it was really cool to hear more about (Stupak’s career),” she said. “I was really impressed by what he had to say and to learn more about how he worked to keep the area as beautiful as it is.”