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Gibbons Breaks Party Ranks To Endorse Bilirakis

Posted Jun 5, 2008 by William March

Updated Jun 5, 2008 at 03:03 PM

Sam Gibbons, former Tampa congressman and local Democratic icon, has crossed party lines to endorse Republican freshman Gus Bilirakis for re-election to the House.

The reasons: Gibbons is a long-time friend of Bilirakis’s father, Mike Bilirakis, who formerly held Gus’s seat and who served with Gibbons in the House for years. Also, “I’ve watched Gus since he got to Washington and I think he’s honest and he’s doing a creditable job,” Gibbons said in an interview a few moments ago.

“I’m out of politics now and I usually vote for the person, not the party,” Gibbons added.

Gibbons held the U.S. House 11th District seat from Tampa, now held by Kathy Castor, for 34 years, 1962-1997. Mike Bilirakis held the 10th District seat, surrounding Tampa in Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough, from 1983 until 2007, when Gus took over.

Three Democrats are seeking the nomination to run against Bilirakis—former Plant City Mayor John Dicks, Bill Mitchell of Carrollwood and Anita de Palma of Clearwater. Dicks so far appears to have the most support among local party activists.