Gus Bilirakis dominates crowded CD 12 Republican Primary in landslide victory

Incumbent Congressman Gus Bilirakis dominated Tuesday’s five-way Republican Primary for Florida’s 12th Congressional District.

Bilirakis collected 80% of the vote, an impressive lead considering new district boundaries that shifted CD 12 north to include all of Citrus and Hernando counties and the vast majority of Pasco County.

The incumbent’s four competitors each pulled less than 10% of the total vote. Those candidates included Chris Leiser, Jack Martin, Brian Perras and Sid Preskitt.

Bilirakis has served CD 12 since 2013. Before that, he served a similar area covering parts of Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough counties — a role he first took in 2007.

– Kelly Hayes, Florida Politics