Fred Upton Not a Career Politician?

Congressman Fred Upton made a rather astounding claim on the radio today.

Southwest Michigan Politics: Congressman Fred Upton says he's not a career politician; Jack Hoogendyk gets endorsements

UPTON ON THE RADIO: Upton was on The Rocker Morning Show on WRKR-FM 107.7 today, and amid jesting with the hosts, talked about what's coming up in Washington D.C. for him and the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, which he chairs.

At the end of the interview, co-host Mike McKelly told Upton, “I don’t consider you a career politician.” Upton responded, "I'm not."

Upton, 58, served his first year in Congress in 1987 and has been in office for 25 years. Before that, he worked on the staff for U.S. Rep. David Stockman from 1976 to 1980 and was in the Office of Management and Budget from 1981 to 1985.

The Mlive commenters aren't buying it.

According to Wikipedia, the only work Upton has done that is even close to the private sector is writing for his college newspaper.

If Upton isn't a career politician, what is his career? Rich inheritor? OMB staffer on a really long break?