Fred Upton finds it's good to be the chairman

Fred Upton’s finding out just how good it is to be a powerful committee chairman. Major corporate donors and PACs from the energy, health care and technology industries are giving to the House Energy and Commerce chairman at a breakneck pace this election cycle, helping the Michigan Republican amass a $2 million war chest as he prepares for an Aug. 7 primary against a tea party challenger. Upton’s recent donations are well beyond anything he’s ever experienced in his 26 years in Congress, with old friends giving more and new friends emerging from the woodwork.

For the first time in Upton’s career, out-of-state individuals this cycle have outpaced Michigan donors when giving more than $200, compared with Michigan donors, according to donation data compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics. “What was the Mel Brooks line from the ‘History of the World’? ‘It’s good to be the king,’” said an industry source with ties to Upton, who overcame complaints from conservatives and became chairman at the start of 2011.