MELISSA BLOCK, Host: First, we're going to hear more on this story from NPR's Julie Rovner.</s>JULIE ROVNER: Stupak represents the entire northern swath of the state, a socially conservative but politically moderate area were his pro universal health care, anti-abortion credentials have served him well for most of the past two decades. In fact, he said in a news conference in Marquette, his vote to push the new health care law over the finish line helped convince him it was okay to retire.</s>BART STUPAK: After 18 years, together we've accomplished what you sent me to Washington to do: health care for all Americans.</s>JULIE ROVNER: Still, anti-abortion groups dubbed him a traitor to the cause. Dan Benishek is a surgeon from Michigan's Upper Peninsula who is running as a Republican in Stupak's district.</s>DAN BENISHEK: After setting himself up as the hero for the pro-life cause, to bail on that weak excuse is unbelievable to me.</s>JULIE ROVNER: Julie Rovner, NPR News, Washington.
Michigan Democrat Bart Stupak announced his retirement today after playing a key role as an abortion opponent in the passage of the new health care law.