Stupak won't endorse Fieger

Stupak (D-Menominee) has sent Fieger a letter explaining his decision, spokesperson Bob Meissner said yesterday.

He said Stupak would stay neutral instead of backing Republican Gov. John Engler, with whom Stupak has clashed often in recent years.

The three-term representative is among Democrats who have criticized Fieger's controversial statements, particularly his attacks on Catholic leaders. Stupak is a Catholic and opposes abortion rights.

"I've been disturbed by his remarks, very much so," he said in a recent interview. But until this week he had been undecided on whether to support Fieger.

Republican state Rep. Michelle McManus, who is challenging Stupak in the 1st Congressional District, has taunted him for delaying the decision. Spokesperson Sylvia Warner said yesterday that McManus would continue linking Stupak with Fieger and President Clinton.

"Clearly it was a political decision, or he would have done it earlier," she said. "It doesn't deprive us of an issue. It shows he's reacting to what we're doing and saying."

Fieger spokesperson June West said she had not seen Stupak's letter and declined additional comment.

Maureen McNulty, spokesperson for Engler, said Stupak's defection was no surprise.

"There are many Democrats that are embarrassed that Geoff Fieger won the top slot on their ticket, and for their own political lives they recognize the need to back away as far as possible from him," she said.

On Wednesday, Vice President Al Gore also avoided mentioning Fieger by name during his visit to Michigan although he met with him privately. Most congressional Democrats from Michigan have avoided talking about Fieger.

Stupak's announcement came as Democrats tried to put McManus on the defensive over a controversy involving the petitions that qualified her to enter the race.

09-25-98