For Democratic Primaries

Click Here to Read the Complete Endorsement in the St. Pete Times

If Democrats are trying to win what has been a safe Republican seat by painting the incumbent, Gus Bilirakis, as ineffective in Washington and unresponsive at home, John Dicks is in the strongest position to make the case for change.

Dicks, 55, is an attorney and former mayor and city commissioner of Plant City, in eastern Hillsborough County. The Florida native has the best grasp of the issues. His plans to reduce federal spending, expand health insurance and increase America's energy independence are the right priorities for the nation and the district. Dicks opposes relaxing the ban on oil drilling off Florida's Gulf Coast. He favors shifting the Bush tax cuts from the wealthiest to the middle class when the cuts expire in 2010.

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Dicks is better prepared and more assertive. His years in the region and broad community service enable him to balance the diverse needs of a meandering district, which includes part of the north Pinellas coast, retiree communities in west Pasco and the suburban and farm areas of north and eastern Hillsborough.

For Democrats in the primary race for U.S. House District 9, the Times recommends John Dicks.


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