Three Democrats vie for chance to run against Gus Bilirakis in November

Click Here to Read the Complete Article in the St. Petersburg Times

A decade ago, during his first campaign for the state Legislature, a volunteer came up with U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis' slogan: Gus is for Us.

It may not be the sexiest motto, but Bilirakis said he's kept it because it speaks to his primary mission: remembering the constituents back home each time he steps on the House floor to cast a vote.

"I want to continue to live up to that because it means I'm fighting for the people in my district," Bilirakis said.

In the freshman incumbent's bid to retain his seat, Bilirakis has name recognition on his side. His father, Mike, held the seat from 1983 to 2006.

But Bilirakis, 45, could have some heavy competition this year in U.S. House District 9, which covers northern Pinellas, western Pasco and suburban Hillsborough counties.

John Dicks, 55, has caught the attention of Democratic Party strategists.

First the former Plant City mayor will take on Tampa lawyer Bill Mitchell and Hispanic advocate Anita de Palma in next month's primary. But Bilirakis' name recognition -- and the money he's been able to collect -- could prove to be the greatest hurdle for challengers in this historically conservative district.

Based on the June 30 campaign reports, Bilirakis has raised $1.05-million in contributions.

Dicks has brought in $104,651 and loaned himself another $320,000.

Mitchell has collected about $70,000 in contributions and loaned his campaign another $100,000.

De Palma, has raised the least, $23,340 in all, including a $20,500 loan to herself.

Dicks' campaign has gained attention from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which named it one of the "top 20 emerging races" nationwide.

"Those are races where ... we believe the candidate there is generating excitement," said Kyra Jennings of the DCCC. "With his time as mayor of Plant City, we think he's in line with the values of the district and is able to connect with the voters."

During his nine years on the Plant City Commission, Dicks, a business and real estate lawyer, helped shave more than 10 percent off the city budget and dealt with record population growth without raising taxes, he said.

Dicks supports the creation of a national catastrophe fund to lower homeowners' insurance rates and opposes offshore drilling. A former trustee for Hillsborough Community College, he advocates smaller class sizes and increased vocational education opportunities.

View All News