Another Bilirakis challenger

Democrat Michael K. van Hoek of Valrico is running to unseat Republican Gus Bilirakis in Hillsborough/Pasco/Pinellas Congressional District 9. He joins Democratic lawyer Bill Mitchell of Tampa. From the release: “For far too long, we seem to have moved away from the notion that the House of Representatives is indeed the ‘People’s House,’” said van Hoek, an active member of the East Hillsborough Democratic Club and the Hillsborough Democratic Executive Committee . “I feel that it’s time for regular, everyday people to start getting involved in our government at the national level. For many working folks in our District, the U.S. House is nothing more than a group of politicians who have nothing in common with us. Even the language they speak is foreign to many of us. It’s time for Congress to more accurately reflect the voice of the people it represents.”

Citing a lifetime of public service which includes serving the community as a Paramedic, Community College Instructor, Boy Scout leader, and teacher in a high school dropout prevention  program, van Hoek stated that he is ready to take public service to the next level.  “When I was a Paramedic responding to 911 calls, the patient in front of me was the most important issue of my life while in my care,” he said. “As a Congressman, the most important thing for me, and for my staff, will be the needs and concerns of my constituents – each and every one of them, each and every moment of my tenure.”

Comments

[Maverick]

This guy (van hoek) just had the high point of his campaign. Hope he enjoyed it.

I don’t know who he is, but he’s mantra is dead-nuts-on thus far! Never in the history of our nation has the “Throw the bums out” mentality been more appropriate, given our nation’s status on so many levels.

Government factions, politicos, and politicians spew the “disenfranchised” rhetoric so much, and accuse each other on it… that they’ve failed to recognize that it is they who are most responsible for the phenomenon.

awful website. ugly and boring.

great web site. free speech is supported here and you don't have to buy a politician to get your voice heard! Thanks SPT!

11:10, your post is ignorant, yet quite telling at the same time.

This website looks no different that 100’s of other I’ve seen… therefore…

That you find it “awful, ugly, and boring” – when it’s base color scheme is Red, White, and Blue, and includes a photo of the American flag and the capital – does not say much about your level of Patriotism.

Good luck in Iran!

Anybody has to be an improvement over "Rain Man" Bilirakis.

This Bozo will lose too. Bilirakis is simply the nicest guy in the House. This Van whoever guy has no chance. None at all.

Bilirakis does a good job representing our district. His office is alot more active than his father's was. He is showing a little independence too, which is nice.

Ok staffers... back to work stealing my tax dollars!

[Melissa Cartwright]

I posted the 4:09 comment and I am not of staffer of any kind. I am a stay at home mom and I pay the same taxes that you accuse others of stealing. I have met Bilirakis on several occasions and have found him to be a kind and decent person (unlike many of his fellow congresspersons. My father, a veteran, went to his Veteran fair and recieved help with processing his medical paperwork. I read recently that he is hosting a foreclosure forum to help people who are hurting from the housing crisis. I simply pointed out that I have been impressed by his activism and independent streak (voicing out on the Gonzalez situation long before his peers, etc.) I have been pleasantly suprised by his leadership in our district and as an registered independent voter- I can tell you he has earned my vote next November (which cannot be said for many in his party). 4:10 pm poster- you shouldn't criticize others for having a different view than yours!

4:10 - Not real bright to demand staffers get to work stealing tax dollars, but then again you are a liberal. Stealing tax dollars must be in your job description.

Lighten up pinkos… and stay at home… mom!

Now, GET BACK TO WORK STEALING MY TAX DOLLARS… STAFFER!

[Melissa Cartwright]

9:07 pm poster- Are you implying that something is wrong with being a stay at home mom, or that my opinions are some how less valid because I choose to dedicate my life (and take a break from my career) to raising my 3 young children? I simply think Bilirakis has done a good job. The rest of the bunch in office, regardless of political affiliation have been worthless. While I don't think they are stealing my tax money, I am concerned about their misappropriation of public funds.

[Gene Smith]

Melissa,

You are one of the very few who have actually seen Gus in the flesh since he took office. He simply does not do public meetings where someone would actually ask him a real question.

As for being independent, Gus still votes with the Republican Party 90%^ of the time per CQ Politics Party Unity Score:

http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=53

God forbid Republicans vote with Republicans, and Democrats vote with Democrats.

Kathy Castor voted with her party on SCHIP, until it dawned on her the negative impact it would have on her OWN DISTRICT

Yeah, how appalling that a Republican should vote on party lines. Gene Smith is another helium-filled partisan hack from the Kos wingnut faction of the Democrat party. These are the people who made a pariah out of an inveterate liberal like Joe Lieberman because he's independent on Iraq and GWOT.

[Gene Smith]

Note to all you brilliant political observers: The comment was about GUS being INDEPENDENT. Which, of course, he is not, as the record shows.

If you want to say he's a good party man - that's fine. But independent? No way.

Gene Smith = Phyllis Busansky - Its the last loser with the same old song. Get over it Phyllis.

I think Phyllis is hot!

9:14 = Phyllis (AKA: Gene Smith). Phyllis get over yourself and go away.

I still think she's hot!

Of course you do Phyllis, but trust me when I say you are the only one. Sorry Phyllis, (AKA: Gene Smith, 9:14 and now 4:03)you are not hot, come to think of it nobody named Phyllis is hot.

4:03 probably thinks Madeline Albright is a real hottie. OOuuff!

There are now 4 challengers. This article somehow overlooks former Plant City Mayor John Dicks, who looks to be with his conservative credentials a formidable challenger. Yet I do not care how short or unimpressive young Bilirakis may seem. He is an incumbent. Also, this is a district where all the 25 percent who still support Bush live. The recession will really have to roar and Dicks will have to show more moxie than Phyliis just to have a shot.

"moxie" doesn't work against nice - nothing does. They will be crushed like the liberal bugs they are. SPLAAT!

[your 15 minutes]

Phyllis George = HOT!

[Ronald Reagan's Ghost]

Since when is "nice" the only requisite to be a Congressman?

Mike created a formidable power structure that enables political success through name recognition and stout fundraising.

Give Gus credit for walking the yellow brick road. But many of us doubt that he could ever create a similar "machine" by his own wits.

There is no doubt most of his political opponents and peers have superior intelligence and charisma. But until someone figures out how to undo the Bilirakis' power structure, I'm afraid District 9 is stuck with a "nice guy" for a Congressman.