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(Courtesy | David Benac)

KALAMAZOO, MI -- U.S. Rep. Fred Upton may have another challenger from Western Michigan University next year.

Kalamazoo Democrat David Benac, a professor of history, announced his intention to run for Michigan' 6th Congressional District this week. Upton, 64, has represented the district for 16 terms since 1986.

"I just feel like Upton's reign is over," Benac said in a news release. "He made a horrible decision by going back on his position in regards to the AHCA bill and has lost the trust of many of his constituents."

Michigan's 6th Congressional District includes the counties of Kalamazoo, Van Buren, Cass, St. Joseph, Berrien, and most of Allegan. In the November 2016 election, Upton took 59 percent of the vote, defeating Democrat Paul Clements and Libertarian Lorence Wenke.

Last November, Upton received almost 73,000 more votes than Clements, a WMU political science professor who ran unsuccessfully against the St. Joseph Republican twice.

Benac grew up in Alpena and earned a bachelor's degree in history at Michigan State University before completing his PhD at the University of Missouri. In 2013 he returned to his home state and joined the history department at WMU.

Since then, Benac has been active in various community organizations and governmental boards. He was a delegate for U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders to the Platform Committee of the Democratic National Committee.

He serves on the Kalamazoo Historic Preservation Council, helped form Organize West Michigan, became co-chair of the Environmental Task Force of ProKzoo, joined the steering committee for the Kalamazoo Complete Streets Initiative, co-chaired the Kalamazoo Earth Day Festival and won election to vice chair of the Michigan Democratic Party Environment Caucus.

According to Benac's campaign website, he is running to expand Medicare, prevent states from blocking women's right to abortion, protect the environment and increase treatment options for people with mental health issues.

In a point of agreement with his opponent, Benac said said the nation made "great strides" with the passage of the 21st Century Cures Act, a bill introduced by Upton and U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo.

The $6.3 billion legislation includes research funding for the National Institutes of Health and would overhaul the process the Food and Drug Administration uses to assess and approve new medicines. The bill had bipartisan support, passing 392-26 and even receiving support from the Obama administration.

Benac has specifically stood against President Donald Trump's "dismantling" of the EPA Stream Water Protection Rule.

In March, Trump sought to cut $50 million from the $300 million in 2017 Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funds to help pay for a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border. The funding is safe after the passage of a recent spending bill, and Benac said it should stay that way.

He is also opposed to Trump's withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement. Regardless of the nation's commitment, Benac wishes to meet the goals of the accord.

Upton has also said Trump's decision to back out of the agreement was a 'mistake.'

In the classroom, Benac wants to end for-profit charter schools and provide free college to reduce the impact of student debt.

In the fields, he would forgive the student loans of anyone who works full-time on a farm for four years. Benac also supports organic agriculture and wants to bring high-speed internet to rural communities.

The Democrat said he also wants to make Michigan a leader in the alternative energy economy, create occupational training programs for workers, end right-to-work laws and address the impact of automation on Michigan jobs.

He is opposed to the Supreme Court's decision on Citizens United and gerrymandering practices in the state.

On Benac's campaign website, he said citizens needs to take back the government from corporate interests that corrupt the system and remove corporate cash and political action committees from positions of control.

"For too long, we have watched as corporations and power brokers have corrupted the democratic process of governance that makes this nation the focal point of the free world," Benac said. "It is time that we come together as a people and demand to have our government back."

A Crowdpac fundraising campaign has raised $1,428 from 54 donations since May 8.

The Kalamazoo resident is hosting a launch party barbecue from 6 to 8 p.m. June 14 at the Vicksburg Community Center, 101 S. Main St. in Vicksburg.

There will be locally-sourced BBQ, refreshments, and some activities. Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased at online or at the event.

For more information about Benac, visit his website benacforcongress.com.