Gus Bilirakis

Republican | Florida

Candidate Profile*

Conservative

*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.

BIOGRAPHY

Name

Gus Bilirakis


Party

Republican


Election Year

2020


Election

General


Race

U.S. Rep., Dist. 12


Incumbent

Yes


Links

Gus Bilirakis websites FacebookXYouTube

EDUCATION

Stetson Law School, Gulfport, JD, 1989

University of Florida, Gainesville, BA, 1986

Tarpon High School, Tarpon Springs, HS

WORK & MILITARY

U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman, 13

Bilirakis Law Group, Senior Partner, 18 approx.

St. Petersburg College, Adjunct Professor, 10 approx

University of South Florida, Adjunct Professor, 2

AFFILIATIONS

Greek Orthodox Church, Archon ( Preserving Mother Church), International Rotary

Member, Greek Children's Fund, Honorary Member

Freemasonry, Mason, Kiwanis

Member, VFW Auxillary, Honorary Member

Co-Religious Freedom Caucus, co-Chairman

POLITICAL OFFICES HELD

United States Congressman, 13

State Representative, 8

POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT

N/A

Race

SCORECARDS

CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS

2017-18

100%


2019-20

100%


2015-16

100%


2012

100%


2020

100%


2017-2018

100%


2019-20

100%


2020

A


2017-18

100%, 98% (cum.)†


2019

95%


2019

90%


2017-18

89%


2019

90%, 86% (cum.)†


2019

79%, 85% (cum.)†


2019-20

85%


2017-18

83%


2019-20

67%, 72% (cum.)†


2019-20

87%, 69% (cum.)†


2019

67%, 66% (cum.)†


2015-16

66%


2019

59% (cum.)†


2019

C+


2019

50% (cum.)†



2015-16

|

100%





2019-20

|

100%



2017-18

|

100%, 98% (cum.)†


2019

|

95%




2019

|

90%, 86% (cum.)†


2019

|

79%, 85% (cum.)†




2019-20

|

67%, 72% (cum.)†


2019-20

|

87%, 69% (cum.)†


2019

|

67%, 66% (cum.)†


2015-16

|

66%


2019

|

59% (cum.)†



2019

|

50% (cum.)†



LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS

ENDORSEMENTS*

*These endorsements were received after the deadline and were not considered in the Panel Evaluations and are for additional educational purposes only.
CONSERVATIVE (7)

BlakPac

Campaign for Working Families

*Family Research Council Action PAC

Florida Right to Life PAC

Huck PAC

REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (3)

Florida Right to Life Committee

Pinellas County Right to Life Committee

NRA

SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS

CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (56)

Allen West (2013)

Bobby Schilling (2013)

Bruce Poliquin (2017)

Carlos Curbelo (2016)

Chuck Fleischmann (2014)

RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (95)

Adam Putnam (2006)

Advance The Majority PAC (2006)

American Principles (2017)

American Success PAC (2006)

Badger Fund (2006)


LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (13)

Airline Pilots Association (2014)

American Maritime Officers (2008)

American Nurses Association (2019)

Charlie Crist (2006)

George M. & Judith Marcus (2018)

OTHER INFORMATION

QUESTIONNAIRE

RIGHT TO LIFE

Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.

Strongly Agree

Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds or grants from federal, state, or local governments.

Strongly Agree

I support the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which requires health care providers to provide life-saving treatment for infants who survive an attempted abortion.

Strongly Agree

Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?

The only circumstance in which abortion should be allowed is when the life of the mother is in danger.


ECONOMY

It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.

Strongly Disagree

Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.

Strongly Agree

How would you guarantee Social Security benefits for future generations?

I have introduced legislation, H.R. 5672, the Commission on Sustaining Medicare and Social Security Act (much like the blue Ribbon panel of the Reagan era) that would bring together experts to propose solutions to ensure the viability of Medicare and Social Security.

What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?

As has been done under the Trump Administration, each federal agency must scrutinize its budget and cut out wasteful, duplicative programs, particularly those that have sunsetted years ago.

Under what circumstances should taxpayers help pay off existing student loans?

Taxpayers should not bail out those with student loan debt with the exception of certain circumstances in which the student is employed in a field that serves the public good. i.e. a doctor working in a rural area or a teacher working at a high risk school


RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

Governments should not discriminate against individuals, organizations or small businesses because of their belief that marriage is only a union of one man and one woman.

Strongly Agree

Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.

Strongly Agree

I promise to protect the freedom of Christians to share the Gospel and to practice Biblical principles.

Yes

What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?

The government should not be allowed to establish a religion nor prevent the free exercise thereof.


HEALTHCARE

It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.

Disagree

I support the elimination of private healthcare insurance.

Strongly Disagree

How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?

I have been a big proponent of community health centers and sponsored legislation to authorize funding for them. Community health centers provide easy access and affordable care for all. I have also supported Republican legislation that would ensure that pre-existing conditions are covered by health insurance plans.


NATIONAL SECURITY

The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.

Strongly Agree

What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of radical Islamic terrorism?

Our intelligence and law enforcement agencies should work together in a way that allows for the seamless sharing of information. We must prevent U.S. taxpayer dollars from going overseas to countries and entities that help incite violence against the U.S., including satellite companies that allow the broadcast of the incitement of violence (i have passed legislation to this effect). We must disallow madrassas here in the U.S. from receiving taxpayer funding while the imams preach anti-Americanism to their students. And, we can never allow Sharia law to supplant U.S. law in any jurisdiction in our nation.


IMMIGRATION

I am in favor of construction of a wall and other necessary infrastructure on our border that gives complete control over entering and exiting the United States.

Strongly Agree

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) should be abolished.

Strongly Disagree

State and federal funds should be denied to any public or private entity, including but not limited to sanctuary cities, that are not in compliance with immigration laws.

Strongly Agree

Employers should be required to use E-verify to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States.

Agree

Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?

Legal immigrants who have been thoroughly vetted and have been waiting in line for years LAWFULLY should be allowed to migrate, particularly if they can bring a job skill that is needed to help grow our economy.


EDUCATION

Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.

Strongly Disagree


VALUES

Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.

Strongly Agree

I support adding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected classes in non-discrimination laws.

Strongly Disagree

Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.

I am an Orthodox Christian and my faith informs the decisions I make everyday. I do not check my faith at the door before I enter the U.S. House chamber to vote. My faith is my moral compass.


ABOUT YOU

When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and immigration, which of the following best describes you overall?

Conservative

Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.

Please see my voting record and visit my website to see my stance on various issues as well as public statements I have made. Bilirakis.house.gov.

Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.

NO.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?

Did not answer


CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY

Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.

Strongly Agree


2ND AMENDMENT

What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?

Only those who pose an immediate threat of serious bodily harm or death to others should have their ability to own a gun restricted TEMPORARILY with immediate access to a court hearing to ensure they do not threaten public safety.


OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES

I support BDS (boycott, divestment, and sanction) against Israel if they refuse to allow the creation of a Palestinian state.

Strongly Disagree

I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.

Strongly Disagree

Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.

Strongly Disagree

The Electoral College should be abolished.

Strongly Disagree

In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?

I would continue to focus on veterans affairs, healthcare issues, and telecommunication issues.

Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?

No. While racism, unfortunately, exists, I don't believe it is systemic. As Americans, we must learn to love each other regardless of race, ethnicity, or any other difference we may share. Those who seek to physically harm others based on race OR ANY OTHER REASON must be punished to the fullest extent of the law.

If you are not already receiving our emails, stay up to date with important election alerts, educational articles, and encouraging reminders.

I agree to receive text messages at the phone number provided.