Gus M. Bilirakis
| Gus M. Bilirakis | ||
 | ||
| U.S. House, Florida, District 12 | ||
| Incumbent | ||
| In office | ||
| January 3, 2007-Present | ||
| Term ends | ||
| January 3, 2015 | ||
| Years in position | 6 | |
| Party | Republican | |
| Predecessor | Dennis A. Ross (R) | |
| Compensation | ||
| Base salary | $174,000/year | |
| Elections and appointments | ||
| Last election | November 6, 2012 | |
| First elected | 2006 | |
| Next election | November 4, 2014 | |
| Campaign $ | $5,999,178 | |
| Term limits | N/A | |
| Prior offices | ||
| Florida House of Representatives, District 48 | ||
| 1999-2007 | ||
| Education | ||
| High school | Tarpon Springs High School | |
| Bachelor's | University of Florida | |
| Associate's | St. Petersburg Junior College | |
| J.D. | Stetson University College of Law | |
| Personal | ||
| Birthday | February 8, 1963 | |
| Place of birth | Gainsville, Florida | |
| Profession | Attorney | |
| Net worth | $605,517 | |
| Websites | ||
| Office website | ||
| Campaign website | ||
Contents |
Due to redistricting, Bilirakis ran in the 2012 election for the U.S. House, representing Florida's 12th District. Bilirakis sought re-election on the Republican ticket.[1] The signature filing deadline was June 8, 2012, with the primary taking place on August 14, 2012. Bilirakis ran unopposed in the Republican primary on August 14, 2012 and was re-elected on November 6, 2012.[2]
Based on an analysis of bill sponsorship by GovTrack, Bilirakis is a "moderate Republican leader".[3]
Biography
Bilirakis grew up in Tarpon Springs, Florida, as the grandson of Greek immigrants. Bilirakis graduated from Tarpon Springs High School and St. Petersburg Junior College. He then attended the University of Florida, where he graduated in 1986 with a bachelor's degree in political science. He received his law degree from the Stetson University College of Law in 1989.
Bilirakis has a Tampa Bay area law practice, the Bilirakis Law Group, specializing in probate and estate planning, which he took over from his father. While his father Michael Bilirakis was a Member of Congress from 1983–2007, Gus helped run his campaigns.[4]
Career
- 2013-present: U.S. House of Representatives, Florida's 12th congressional district
- 2007-2013: U.S. House of Representatives, Florida's 9th congressional district
- 1999-2007: Florida House of Representatives, District 48
Committee assignments
U.S. House
2013-2014
Bilirakis serves on the following committees:[5]
- Committee on Energy and Commerce
- Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade
- Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy
- Committee on Veterans' Affairs
- Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs
2011-2012
Bilirakis served on the following committees:[6]
- Foreign Affairs Committee
- Subcommittee on Europe and Eurasia
- Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia
- Homeland Security Committee[6]
- Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications Chairman
- Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Management
- Veterans' Affairs Committee[6] Vice Chair
- Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
- Subcommittee on Health
Issues
Campaign themes
2012
Bilirakis's campaign website listed the following issues:[7]
- National Security
- Excerpt: "Gus strongly opposes illegal immigration and does not believe we should give amnesty or any other reward to those who have broken our nation’s immigration laws because doing so simply encourages continued lawbreaking and greater illegal immigration in the future."
- Honoring Our Nation's Heroes
- Excerpt: "As Vice-Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Gus is committed to working on behalf of the brave men and women who have worn our nation’s uniform. When elected to Congress, he fought for a seat on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs so he could be an advocate for veterans and their families and ensure they receive the benefits they have earned. He also chairs the Republican Policy Committee’s Task Force on Veterans’ Affairs."
- Protecting Florida's Seniors
- Excerpt: "Gus is working hard to ensure that Florida's seniors have peace of mind. Gus believes that we must protect Medicare and Social Security for current beneficiaries and future generations and voted to stop scheduled Medicare premium increases."
- Fiscal Discipline & Job Creation
- Excerpt: "Gus believes that economic innovation and growth begins with fiscal discipline in Washington, D.C."
- Health Care Reform
- Excerpt: "Gus strongly believes that serious health care reform must begin with reducing premiums and increasing access to care for those without it. He supports sensible solutions that will lower rising health care costs and increase access to insurance while preserving the doctor-patient relationship and keeping you in charge of your care."
Specific votes
Fiscal Cliff
Bilirakis voted against the fiscal cliff compromise bill, which made permanent most of the Bush tax cuts originally passed in 2001 and 2003 while also raising tax rates on the highest income levels. He was one of 151 Republicans that voted against the bill. The bill was passed in the House by a 257/167 vote on January 1, 2013.[8]
Election
2012
Due to redistricting, Bilirakis was running in the 2012 election for the U.S. House, representing Florida's 12th District. Bilirakis was seeking re-election on the Republican ticket. The signature filing deadline was June 8, 2012, with the primary taking place on August 14, 2012. Bilirakis ran unopposed in the Republican primary and was re-elected on November 6, 2012.[9]
| U.S. House, Florida, District 12 General Election, 2012 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Jonathan Michael Snow | 32.9% | 108,770 | |
| Republican |  Gus Bilirakis Incumbent |
63.5% | 209,604 | |
| Independent | Paul Sidney Elliot | 1.5% | 4,915 | |
| Independent | John Russell | 2.1% | 6,878 | |
| Total Votes | 330,167 | |||
| Source: Florida Secretary of State "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election" | ||||
Full history
To view the full congressional electoral history for Gus Bilirakis, click [show] to expand the section. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Campaign donors
Comprehensive donor information for Bilirakis is available dating back to 2006. Based on available campaign finance records, Bilirakis raised a total of $5,999,178 during that time period. This information was last updated on April 4, 2013.[13]
| Gus M. Bilirakis's Campaign Contribution History | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Office | Result | Contributions | |
| 2012 | U.S. House (Florida, District 12) |  |
$758,988 | |
| 2010 | U.S. House (Florida, District 10) | |
$1,088,911 | |
| 2008 | U.S. House (Florida, District 10) | |
$1,494,533 | |
| 2006 | U.S. House (Florida, District 10) | |
$2,656,746 | |
| Grand Total Raised | $5,999,178 | |||
2012
Bilirakis won re-election to the U.S. House in 2012. During that election cycle, Bilirakis's campaign committee raised a total of $758,988 and spent $919,050.[14]
| U.S. House of Representatives, Florida's 12th Congressional District, 2012 - Gus M. Bilirakis Campaign Contributions | |
|---|---|
| Total Raised | $758,988 |
| Total Spent | $919,050 |
| Total Raised by Election Runner-up | $16,106 |
| Total Spent by Election Runner-up | $16,106 |
| Top contributors to Gus M. Bilirakis's campaign committee | |
| Precision Orthopedics | $11,615 |
| American Resort Development Assn | $10,000 |
| Chartwell Hotels | $10,000 |
| Credit Union National Assn | $10,000 |
| National Electric Contractors Assn | $10,000 |
| Top 5 industries that contributed to campaign committee | |
| Health Professionals | $66,265 |
| Retired | $46,800 |
| Food & Beverage | $31,250 |
| Real Estate | $30,699 |
| Lawyers/Law Firms | $25,650 |
2010
Bilirakis won re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2010. During that re-election cycle, Bilirakis's campaign committee raised a total of $1,088,911 and spent $915,411.[15]
| U.S. House of Representatives, Florida's 9th Congressional District, 2010 - Gus M. Bilirakis Campaign Contributions | |
|---|---|
| Total Raised | $1,088,911 |
| Total Spent | $915,411 |
| Total Raised by General Election Opponent | $13,496 |
| Total Spent by General Election Opponent | $13,401 |
| Top contributors to Gus M. Bilirakis's campaign committee | |
| Suncoast Family Medical Assoc | $13,150 |
| Royal Brush Manufacturing | $12,000 |
| Van Scoyoc Assoc | $11,294 |
| AFLAC Inc | $10,000 |
| American Academy of Ophthalmology | $10,000 |
| Top 5 industries that contributed to campaign committee | |
| Health Professionals | $170,915 |
| Real Estate | $67,650 |
| Lawyers/Law Firms | $56,400 |
| Retired | $56,315 |
| Insurance | $37,250 |
Analysis
Lifetime voting record
According to the website GovTrack, Bilirakis missed 98 of 5,226 roll call votes from Jan 2007 to Mar 2013. This amounts to 1.9%, which is better than the median of 2.2% among current congressional representatives as of March 2013.[16]
Congressional staff salaries
The website Legistorm compiles staff salary information for members of Congress. Bilirakis paid his congressional staff a total of $891,185 in 2011. He ranks 109th on the list of the lowest paid Republican Representative Staff Salaries and he ranks 133rd overall of the lowest paid Representative Staff Salaries in 2011. Overall, Florida ranks 36th in average salary for representative staff. The average U.S. House of Representatives congressional staff was paid $954,912.20 in fiscal year 2011.[17]
Net worth
2011
Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org - The Center for Responsive Politics, Bilirakis's net worth as of 2011 was estimated between $246,035 and $965,000. That averages to $605,517, which is lower than the average net worth of Republican Representatives in 2011 of $7,859,232. His average net worth increased by 33.37% from 2010.[18]
2010
Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org - The Center for Responsive Politics, Bilirakis' net worth as of 2010 was estimated between $88,033 and $819,999. That averages to $454,016, which is lower than the average net worth of Republican Representatives in 2010 of $7,561,133.[19]
National Journal vote ratings
- See also: National Journal vote ratings
2012
Each year National Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of congress voted in the previous year. Bilirakis ranked 148th in the conservative rankings in 2012.[20]
2011
Each year National Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of congress voted in the previous year. Bilirakis ranked 122nd in the conservative rankings.[21]
Political Positions
Percentage voting with party
The website Open Congress tracks how often members of Congress vote with the majority of the chamber caucus. According to the website, Gus M. Bilirakis voted with the Republican Party 94 of the time, which ranked 60 among the 242 House Republican members in November 2011.[22]
Personal
Gus lives in Palm Harbor with his wife, Eva, and sons Michael, Teddy, Manuel, and Nicholas.[4]
Recent news
This section displays the most recent stories in a Google news search for the term Gus + Bilirakis + Florida + House
- All stories may not be relevant to this page due to the nature of the search engine.
Gus Bilirakis News Feed
- Gus Bilirakis To Hold Public Forum - Patch.com
- Hispanic outreach leader for GOP in Florida joins Democratic Party - Tampabay.com
- Poll Finds Floridians Support Path to Citizenship - FCIR
- Florida delegation proves real immigration fight looms in House - Tampabay.com
- Community Celebrates CARES Center Reopening - Patch.com
- Poll: Fla voters back pathway to citizenship - Tampabay.com (blog)
- PPP: Florida Supports Marco Rubio's Immigration Reform - Sunshine State News
- Boston probe sheds light on 'astonishing' problems in student visa system - Fox News
- Halki bill submitted to House of Representatives - Hurriyet Daily News
- Archon Congressman Bilirakis introduces resolution calling on Turkey to reopen ... - Order of St. Andrew, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
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External links
- Social media:
- Biographies:
- Political profiles:
- Financial:
- Interest group ratings:
- Issue positions:
- Public statements:
- Voting record:
- Media appearances:
- Media coverage:
References
- ↑ Tampa Bay Times "Redrawn congressional boundaries create roadblock for Fasano" Accessed February 14, 2012
- ↑ ABC News "2012 General Election Results"
- ↑ Gov Track "Bilirakis" Accessed May 17, 2012
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Congressman Gust Bilirakis "Biography of Congressman Gus M. Bilirakis" Accessed October 17, 2011
- ↑ CQ.com, "House Committee Rosters for the 113th Congress"
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Congressman Gus Bilirakis "Committee & Leadership Assignments" Accessed October 17, 2011
- ↑ Campaign website, Issues
- ↑ U.S. House "Roll Call Vote on the Fiscal Cliff" Accessed January 4, 2013.
- ↑ ABC News "2012 General Election Results"
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010"
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 4, 2008"
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 4, 2008"
- ↑ Open Secrets "Gus M. Bilirakis" Accessed April 4, 2013
- ↑ Open Secrets "Gus Bilirakis 2012 Election Cycle," Accessed February 13, 2013
- ↑ Open Secrets "Gus M. Bilirakis 2010 Election Cycle," Accessed October 27, 2011
- ↑ GovTrack, "Gus Bilirakis," Accessed March 29, 2013
- ↑ LegiStorm "Gus Bilirakis"
- ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Bilirakis (R-Fla), 2011"
- ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Bilirakis, (R-Florida), 2010"
- ↑ National Journal, "2012 Congressional Vote Ratings," February 27, 2013
- ↑ National Journal, "Searchable Vote Ratings Tables: House," February 23, 2012
- ↑ Open Congress "Voting With Party"
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Dennis A. Ross (R) |
U.S. House of Representatives - Florida, District 12 2013-present |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by Michael Bilirakis |
U.S. House of Representatives - Florida, District 9 2007–2013 |
Succeeded by Alan Grayson (D) |
| Preceded by ' |
Florida House of Representatives, District 48 1999-2007 |
Succeeded by ' |
