Michigan Rep. Fred Upton wins GOP primary

Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) easily won the GOP primary in Michigan’s 6th District on Tuesday as he looks to win an 18th term in November.

Upton led Republican rival Elena Oelke by about 20 points with 76 percent of precincts reporting, according to The Associated Press.

The former Energy and Commerce Committee chairman won the southwest Michigan district by 4.5 points in 2018.

On to November!

Lots of folks talk about being a problem solver. But I don’t just talk the talk; I walk the walk.

Excited to connect w/ voters, listen to their concerns, & discuss bipartisan solutions to advance SW Michigan’s recovery. We’re all in this together! #MI06 pic.twitter.com/wqd0bJIHRw

— Fred Upton (@UptonForAllOfUs) August 5, 2020

In the Democratic primary, state Rep. Jon Hoadley defeated teacher Jen Richardson 52 percent to 48 percent with all precincts reporting.

Upton is a moderate who has bucked President Trump on occasion. The Cook Political Report rates the general election race as “likely Republican” for a district that flipped to Trump in 2016.

Updated: Aug. 5 at 10:30 a.m.