Republican US Rep. Gus Bilirakis won Florida’s 12th congressional district and he will continue to represent the area encompassing New Port Richey and areas north of Tampa. Raised in Tarpon Springs, the Florida native is the grandson of Greek immigrants, and has been elected in the House of Representatives for the 8th consecutive time.
With 63 percent of the votes counted, Bilirakis gathered a 62.8 majority against 37.2 percent that went to Democratic candidate Kimberly Walker.
In 2006, following the retirement of his father, Michael Bilirakis, from the U.S. House of Representatives—and a seat that he had held for 24 years—Bilirakis entered the race and was successfully able to continue his family’s legacy. A practicing lawyer, Bilirakis has made a name for himself as being a particularly active member of Congress, serving on the Energy and Commerce Committee and as Vice-Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
In addition, Bilirakis is also a member of the Republican Party’s Whip team, the Republican Study Committee, the Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus, is a ranking member on the House Committee on Homeland Security’s Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight. Bilirakis is also Chair of the Veterans’ Affairs Task Force for the Republican Policy Committee, serves as a Co-Chair of the Congressional Military Veterans Caucus.
Of importance to the Greek-American community, Bilirakis is also a leading member of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
