Gus
Michael Bilirakis
Republican incumbent Gus Bilirakis has represented Florida's 12th Congressional District in the U.S. House since 2007.
- sources
- 19
- positions
- 9
- endorsements
- 7
Background
Gus Michael Bilirakis (born 1963 in Gainesville, Florida) is a Republican U.S. Representative serving Florida's 12th Congressional District. He attended Tarpon Springs High School and St. Petersburg Junior College, earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Florida in 1986, and received his J.D. from Stetson University in 1989. Before entering Congress, he worked as an attorney in private practice and served as an adjunct professor at St. Petersburg College. 1/)318
Bilirakis served in the Florida House of Representatives from 1998 to 2006 before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he has served since 2007. He has represented Florida's 12th District since 2013. 36
In Congress, Bilirakis serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, where he chairs the Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee and is a member of its Health and Communications and Technology subcommittees. 25
Bilirakis resides in Palm Harbor, Florida, and is the incumbent candidate in the November 2026 general election for Florida's 12th District. 689
At a glance
- Party
- Republican · Incumbent
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 12, Florida
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- U.S. Representative, Florida's 12th Congressional District
- Website
- bilirakisforcongress.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Voting record
How Gus Michael Bilirakis voted in Congress: 118th Congress (2023–24) and 119th Congress (2025–26), Jan 3, 2023 to Sep 16, 2026. From the official House and Senate roll call records.
- roll call votes
- 1,909
- missed
- 4.0%
- with their party’s majority
- 96%
Recent key votes
- Sep 16, 2026 · House · S2403 · Economy & jobsRetire through Ownership ActOn Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass · PassedOfficial roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)Yes
- Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR9497 · Climate & energyWater Resources Development ActOn Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · PassedOfficial roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)Yes
- Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR9340 · Climate & energyRatepayer Protection ActOn Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · PassedOfficial roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)Yes
- Sep 16, 2026 · House · HJRES213 · Climate & energyProviding for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to the “California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Commercial Harbor Craft Regulations; Notice of Decision”On Passage · PassedOfficial roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)Yes
- Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR10326 · Crime & public safetyPROOF ActOn Passage · PassedOfficial roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)Yes
- Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR9576 · Crime & public safetyNational Fraud Enforcement Division ActOn Passage · PassedOfficial roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)Yes
- Sep 15, 2026 · House · HJRES210 · Climate & energyProviding for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to “California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Ocean-Going Vessels At-Berth; Notice of Decision”On Passage · PassedOfficial roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)Yes
- Sep 15, 2026 · House · HR9500 · Taxes & budgetTax Relief for Fraud Victims ActOn Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · PassedOfficial roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)Yes
Key votes are final decisions on bills and joint resolutions, and top nominations. Software sorts each into an issue from its official title, so check the roll call. All 1,909 votes →
Timeline
- Oct 7endorsementFamily of baseball legend Roberto Clemente endorses Bilirakis for reelection
The family of Roberto Clemente endorsed Bilirakis's reelection bid, citing his work on health care funding, disaster recovery, and manufacturing jobs in Puerto Rico. Bilirakis said he was 'deeply honored' by the support.
Family of Baseball Legend, Humanitarian Roberto Clemente Endorses Gus Bilirakis for Congress · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 5newsBilirakis joins bipartisan Build America Caucus in announcing 'Build More Agenda'
Bilirakis joined other members of the bipartisan Build America Caucus in announcing a new national agenda spanning seven policy areas and more than 60 proposals. Bilirakis said the agenda would advance 'practical solutions that cut unnecessary red tape, lower costs and help America build faster and smarter.'
NEWS: Build America Caucus Announces New National ... · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 3newsElection forecasters rate FL-12 as likely Bilirakis win in redrawn district
The Tampa Bay Times reported that the redrawn FL-12 now includes West Tampa voters and that the district favored Trump by about 15 points. All three ratings sites consulted expected Bilirakis to prevail in the November 3 general election.
How elections forecasters rank Florida races for governor, Congress · Oct 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 24newsBilirakis and Florida GOP colleagues write federal letter on imported prescription drug access
Bilirakis and two other Florida Republican representatives sent a letter to federal officials warning that a proposed rule could restrict Americans' access to prescription medicines ordered from licensed international pharmacies. A trade group publicly praised the letter in an October 2 release.
CPPI Applauds Bipartisan Fla. Lawmakers for Pressing Fed Agencies to Protect Safe, Affordable Prescription Drug Access · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 23newsBilirakis and Overman appear on WFLA's Battleground Florida podcast
Bilirakis and opponent Kimberly Overman appeared on WFLA's Battleground Florida podcast. Bilirakis said he would not remove content supporting the president from his website but added he is 'not a big fan of the tariffs.' He also defended Trump's decision to act against Iran's nuclear program. WFLA described this as a podcast appearance, not a formal debate.
Democrats look to flip Gus Bilirakis' seat; state elections chair talks integrity · Sep 23, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 18filingBilirakis wins Republican primary unopposed; Overman wins Democratic primary
Bilirakis was unopposed in the August 18 Republican primary. Kimberly Overman won the Democratic primary that day, defeating Darren McAuley. Branden Scrivener also qualified for the general-election ballot as a no-party-affiliation candidate.
2026 Florida's 12th Congressional District Election · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Tampa Bay Times editorial writers newspaperRecommended Bilirakis for District 12 in an election recommendations piece; characterized as the writers' choices rather than a formal campaign endorsement. tampabay.com · Oct 9, 2026
- Family of Roberto Clemente otherEndorsed Bilirakis; family praised his work related to Puerto Rico, including health-care funding, disaster recovery, and manufacturing jobs. floridianpress.com · Oct 7, 2026
- Josh Wostal, Hillsborough County Commissioner officialEndorsed Bilirakis, described as 'responsive' and 'accessible'. floridapolitics.com · Sep 11, 2026
- Chris Nocco, Pasco County Sheriff officialBacked Bilirakis's reelection alongside Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister. floridapolitics.com · Aug 20, 2026
- Chad Chronister, Hillsborough County Sheriff officialBacked Bilirakis's reelection; quoted as saying "I'm proud to support Congressman Gus Bilirakis for re-election." floridapolitics.com · Aug 20, 2026
- Donald Trump, President of the United States officialTrump posted on Truth Social: "Gus Bilirakis has my Complete and Total Endorsement for Re-Election!" in advance of Florida's August 18 primary, though Bilirakis had no Republican primary opponent. trumpstruth.org · Aug 17, 2026
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce organizationAnnounced endorsement of Bilirakis for Florida's 12th District. uschamber.com · Jul 28, 2026
Past elections
General election results for federal office, from the Federal Election Commission.
| Year | Seat | Result | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | U.S. House FL-12 · R | Won | 226,601 | 70.4% |
| 2020 | U.S. House FL-12 · R | Won | 284,941 | 62.9% |
| 2018 | U.S. House FL-12 · R | Won | 194,564 | 58.1% |
| 2016 | U.S. House FL-12 · R | Won | 253,559 | 68.6% |
Covers the 2016 to 2022 general elections. The FEC has not yet published 2024 congressional results.
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $1.59M
- Spent
- $1.16M
- Cash on hand
- $554K
As of Jul 29, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6FL09070(opens in a new tab)
Sources 19
- [1] Environment, Energy Production, and Infrastructure - Gus Bilirakis(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [2] Issues(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [3] 2026 Florida's 12th Congressional District Election(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [4] Our picks for U.S. House of Representatives(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [5] Family of Baseball Legend, Humanitarian Roberto Clemente Endorses Gus Bilirakis for Congress(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [6] Issues & Record - Gus Bilirakis for Congress(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [7] NEWS: Build America Caucus Announces New National ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [8] How elections forecasters rank Florida races for governor, Congress(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [9] CPPI Applauds Bipartisan Fla. Lawmakers for Pressing Fed Agencies to Protect Safe, Affordable Prescription Drug Access(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [10] Democrats look to flip Gus Bilirakis' seat; state elections chair talks integrity(opens in a new tab) Sep 23, 2026
- [11] Foreign Affairs | Congressman Gus Bilirakis - House.gov(opens in a new tab) Sep 21, 2026
- [12] Josh Wostal backs ‘responsive' and ‘accessible' Gus Bilirakis in CD 12(opens in a new tab) Sep 11, 2026
- [13] Gus Bilirakis on X(opens in a new tab) Aug 26, 2026
- [14] Chad Chronister, Chris Nocco back Gus Bilirakis for re-election to keep communities safe(opens in a new tab) Aug 20, 2026
- [15] Congressman Gus Bilirakis is a Tremendous Champion for ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 17, 2026
- [16] U.S. Chamber Endorses Rep. Gus Bilirakis for Florida's ...(opens in a new tab) Jul 28, 2026
- [17] Gus Bilirakis's Congressional Scorecard by Reproductive Freedom ...(opens in a new tab) Jun 11, 2026
- [18] Chairman Guthrie, First Lady Melania Trump, Chairman Bilirakis Join Advocates in Celebrating Committee Passage of TAKE IT DOWN Act(opens in a new tab) Apr 9, 2025
- [19] Tax Season | Congressman Gus Bilirakis - House.gov(opens in a new tab) Apr 17, 2014