2006 New Member Profiles
Florida's 9th District: Gus Bilirakis (R)
The Almanac of American Politics
© National Journal Group Inc.
| Gus Bilirakis |
| Born: |
February 8, 1963 |
| Family: |
Wife, Eva; four children |
| Religion: |
Greek Orthodox |
| Education: |
Attended St. Petersburg Junior College; University of Florida, B.A. 1986; Stetson University, J.D. 1989 |
| Career: |
Congressional aide; lawyer |
Elected
Office: |
Florida House, 1998-2006
|
Gus Bilirakis wasn't shy about drawing on the family name in the race to succeed his father, Republican Rep.
Michael Bilirakis, who is retiring after 12 terms in Congress.
He appeared on the ballot as Gus Michael Bilirakis, and stocked his campaign coffers with contributions from political action committees familiar with his father's work on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. On his state House Web page, he noted his father's job in Washington. And his campaign Web site declared: "Mike Bilirakis's 23 years of public service is marked with patriotism, integrity, and a strong work ethic. There is no one better suited to carry on the mission than Gus, who has been instilled with these vital attributes."
Not only that, perhaps no state is better suited than Florida for a legacy candidate like Bilirakis. In the 110th Congress, the state's House delegation will feature three members (Bilirakis, fellow Republican Connie Mack, and Democrat Kendrick Meek) whose parents served in Congress; a set of brothers (Republicans Lincoln and Mario Diaz-Balart); the brother (Republican John Mica) of a former member (Democrat Dan Mica); and the daughter (Democrat Kathy Castor) of an unsuccessful Senate candidate (Democrat Betty Castor, who ran against GOP Sen. Mel Martinez in 2004).
Against that family-friendly backdrop, just one little-known Republican chose to challenge Bilirakis in the September 5 primary. Bilirakis won handily with 82 percent.
The Democratic nominee was Phyllis Busansky, a former member of the Hillsborough County Commission and the first executive director of the state's welfare-to-work program. Busansky played up her background in health care and senior citizens' issues, both key concerns among the significant elderly population of the Clearwater-based 9th. She also took a page from the national party playbook by referring to Bilirakis as a potential "rubber stamp" for Republicans in Washington.
In response, Bilirakis, whose law practice focused on elder law, pointed to his health care credentials. During his four terms in the Florida House, he spearheaded legislation supporting community health care centers that treat the uninsured. He called for expanding tax incentives for health savings accounts and for low-to-middle-income families who purchase private health care coverage.
Busansky trailed in the polls for much of the campaign, but she gained some short-lived momentum in October after criticizing Bilirakis for his "deep and lucrative ties to the 'Foley Five,'" a reference to contributions he accepted from House GOP members who had early knowledge of the e-mails that then-Rep. Mark Foley, R-Fla., sent to congressional pages.
