The following are reactions from state and local leaders on Bart Stupak's decision not to seek re-election.

"I was certainly surprised by the decision and I know it's been a challenging year for the congressman and he's been a mainstay in Michigan politics," Mayes said. "It's a tough time to be in government and this have been a tough year for Stupak ... Now it's time for him to begin a new chapter."

--- Jeff Mayes, 69th District Representative


“There comes a point in time when if you’re ready for a change, we have to respect that.”

--- Jim Barcia, 31st District State Senator


“He’s  great campaigner and a great congressman and I’m stunned by all this,” said Kildee, D-Flint. “He’s a tireless person and we’ll miss him very much and Michigan will miss him because he’s a powerful position in Congress for us.”

--- Dale Kildee, 5th District U.S. Representative


These Quotes are courtesy of the Bay City Times.

“Congressman Bart Stupak has done an outstanding job on behalf of the constituents of Michigan’s 1st Congressional District. He has long been a strong voice in Washington on issues such as the protection of the Great Lakes and economic development and has done an excellent job as Chair of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations – working on behalf of consumers not only in Michigan but also throughout the country. We thank Congressman Stupak for his 18 years of service as the 1st District’s Congressman and we wish him well in his future endeavors. He will be sorely missed.”

--- Mark Brewer, Michigan Democratic Party Chair

Here is the text from his speech, which he delivered today in a press conference in Marquette:

The people of Northern Michigan have provided me with the honor of representing them in Congress for the past 18 years. I am truly grateful for their support.

I have the distinct honor of serving as your Congressman longer than any other member in modern times - longer than Bob Davis, Phil Ruppe, or John Bennett.

When I first ran for Congress in 1992, I campaigned on a pledge to make affordable, quality health care a right, not a privilege, for all Americans. I promised the people of the First District that I would not accept the insurance that Members of Congress receive – the Federal Employees Health Benefit Package – until all Americans could have access to that same quality of care. For the last 18 years, I have kept that promise.

Since the day I took office, I have fought to improve the quality and accessibility of health care for people throughout Northern Michigan, and across this country. Despite many set backs, in the process and in politics, I never gave up hope, and I never gave in. As a result, we’ve made significant progress.

Today, in Northern Michigan, eleven Community Based Outpatient Veterans Clinics have been established to provide veterans with the care they need and deserve.