Word has come out ahead of a scheduled 12:30 PM news conference that Democrat Rep. Bart Stupak from Michigan has decided to retire ahead of the midterm elections in November. 

Mr. Stupak rocketed to fame or infamy, depending on your point of view, during the health reform debate when he and several other representatives that he spoke for refused to vote for the health-care bill if any Federal funds went to paying for abortions.  He was and continues to be a champion of the pro-life movement, and represents a relatively conservative district in Michigan.  However, when he decided to vote for the health-bill after negotiating for a Presidential proclamation banning Federal funds for abortions, many pro-life conservatives felt betrayed making his re-election much more difficult.

He, among many other members of Congress have been subject to threatening and obscene phone calls and emails to his offices and to his family home.  Earlier this week it was reported that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Majority leader Steny Hoyer were trying to convince Mr. Stupak to run for office again precisely because his district is a conservative one, but apparently that wasn't enough to convince Mr. Stupak to run again.

It will be difficult for the Democrats to find another prominent personality to take Stupak's place, so it could mean that it will be another seat lost for the Democrats in November.