Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI) is quickly moving to quash speculation that he might retire, saying that he in fact intends to run.
Stupak told the Detroit Free Press that he has not made a final decision on running. However, this because he hasn’t had a chance to sit down and discuss the campaign with his family, which he usually does every two years before the filing deadline in May. Stupak also said he is not worried about his challengers: “I have 18 years of goodwill built up.”
In addition, the Associated Press reports that the Democratic leadership has actively asked Stupak — who has faced criticism from both liberals and conservatives for championing a pro-life position during the health care debate, and then ultimately voting to pass the bill — to run. Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) both reportedly phoned Stupak recently and encouraged him to run again.
