Byron Donalds endorses fellow Florida Republican Rep. Gus Bilirakis for reelection
BROOKSVILLE, Fla. – Florida Republican Rep. Byron Donalds endorsed his colleague Gus Bilirakis for reelection in 2024, running to again represent Florida’s 12th Congressional District.
“I am proud to serve in the Florida delegation with Congressman Gus Bilirakis,” Donalds said. “He has fought alongside me as we’ve worked for a more secure, more prosperous, and more just nation.”
Bilirakis’ district covers portions of Citrus and Hernando County, and most of Pasco County.
“Gus rolls his sleeves up and gets to work without fanfare. Some people talk the talk, but Gus walks the walk,” Donalds said. “He’s the exact kind of patriot we need to make America great again. I am proud to endorse my friend, Gus Bilirakis, for Congress in Florida’s 12th Congressional District.”
Bilirakis praised Donalds in response, calling the fellow former President Donald Trump-aligned congressman a “proven conservative fighter.”
“Our nation depends on leaders like Rep. Donalds who are unafraid to stand up to the liberal establishment on issues like border security, inflation, and energy independence,” Bilirakis said. “I look forward to continue working with my friend and colleague to enact the America First agenda!”
Donalds’ endorsement comes after Florida Republican Reps. Matt Gaetz and Anna Paulina Luna threw their support behind Bilirakis, along with Ohio Republican Rep. Jim Jordan in January, all of which are supporters of Trump.
Bilirakis endorsed Trump in April 2023 for president.
Recently, the Center for Effective Lawmaking named Bilirakis the “most effective lawmaker” from Florida.
In the 2022 election, Bilirakis won his seat with over 70% of the vote.
In Congress, Bilirakis is a senior member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, chairman of the Innovation, Data and Commerce Subcommittee, and a senior member of the Health Subcommittee and the Communications and Technology Subcommittee.
Per his campaign, since 2015, he sponsored 75 bills that ultimately became U.S. law.
The general election is on Nov. 5.
According the Florida Department of State, two other Republicans are running as Republicans for District 12: James Judge and Jack Martin. As of late-January, no Democrats have filed for the office yet.
