This race will appear on Republican Primary ballots. Aboujaoude Jr, Rock (DEM) will challenge the winner of this race in the General Election. Each candidate was given the opportunity to provide a 200-word bio and respond to our questions within 700 words.
HANK DUNLAP (REP)
BIO:
I was born in Western Pennsylvania in 1972. Growing up in the rust belt, I experienced first-hand the effects of globalization and the even worse results of governmental intervention of putting band aids on symptoms rather than addressing the root cause. I never obtained a college degree or had a salary job. I am proud that I am just a regular guy that can relate to the majority of the population because I have experienced many of the same hardships and blessings as they have. I decided to run for Congress because I don’t believe the people of District 12 are having their voices heard in Washington. What we see are issues in D.C. (inflation, injustice, anti-American sentiment, tyrannical regulations, private/public collusion) not being fought against, these issues are repeatedly getting votes of funding by the current representation.
What is your motivation for running for this office?
I decided to run for Congress because I don’t believe the people of District 12 are having their voices heard in Washington. Issues such as inflation, two-tiered justice, anti-American sentiment, tyrannical regulations, and private/public collusion are not being fought against, but rather continually getting votes of funding by the current representation.
What caused you to get into politics?
My primary objective is preventing or at least reducing the impact of an impending fiscal crisis. There needs to be a radical change in federal spending. I’ve watched Gus vote for nearly every appropriation bill since 2020. I was hopeful that there would be a candidate to run against him this cycle but after James Judge moved to District 15, I did what I thought was right.
Describe some critical issues that you will focus on and what potential policy may look like.
We are facing a financial crisis that is threatening the benefits which Veterans and the elderly are dependent on. The interest on the debt has surpassed Defence and Medicare and is now only second to Social Security as our largest expenditure. I will look to Representatives such as Massie and Schweikert for direction in implementing policy that is based in reality.
Describe some local issues, projects, or funding needs that you’d like to assist with while in Washington.
My goal will be to remove the federal government as much as possible from the lives of the people in District 12. This is important for two reasons. 1. The federal government has no more money. The days of looting the treasury are gone. 2. The federal government is a necessary evil and it’s involvement in any matter is never the best. All issues and projects should be carried out at the lowest level of government possible. State and County bonds are more attractive than treasury bills.
What besides your experience makes you especially suited for this office?
I have a passion for finding the reason something is broken or not working at it’s best and exploring and implementing corrective measures. I am driven to thoroughly learn the intricacies of a system while keeping perspective of the objects role in the bigger picture. I have learned that most knowledge comes from asking the right question.
What steps will you take to ensure that you hear and understand the concerns of all residents in your district?
I believe communications to be essential in the success of any endeavour. I will place a high priority in answering to the those I am representing and always be mindful that the people of District 12 is who I am working for. Accountability is not optional.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities of this office?
Vote on Appropriations, Draft and introduce legislation, Articulate positions on issues, Communicate with constituents about legislation, Oversight, and Evaluate every measure for Constitutionality.
Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you have heard recently that you found particularly touching, memorable or impactful?
Not in particular, but I daily hear from the people I work with of the increasing difficulties in financially keeping their head above water. They are making sacrifices in every aspect of their lifestyle while Congress continues to spend at not just current levels but ever increasing. These conversations are very impactful to me knowing that unless there is a major paradigm shift in how Congress evaluates the sustainability of their actions, my friends and coworkers’ current difficulties pale in comparison to the hardships facing District 12 and our country.
GUS BILIRAKIS (REP)
BIO:
Congressman Gus Bilirakis has represented all of Hernando County since being re-elected in 2022. He currently serves as a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Chairman of the Innovation, Data and Commerce Subcommittee, and a Member of both the Health Subcommittee and the Communications and Technology Subcommittee. Additionally, he served as Vice-Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee for fourteen years and remains heavily involved with Veteran related policies to the extent that he was recently appointed as Advisor to the Speaker on Veterans Issues. Congressman Bilirakis has been ranked as one of the most effective members of Congress by Vanderbilt University based upon his legislative record. Additionally, he has won national awards for constituent service and communication.
What is your motivation for running for this office?
A society is judged by how well it treats its most vulnerable populations. I’m committed to fighting for seniors, children and Veterans. This is a perilous time for our country. We need serious legislators with courage of conviction, conservative principles, a proven track record of working together to get things done, and a passion for constituent service. I want to continue to build upon my success in this area as I work to help my constituents and community by creating a nation that is safe, an economy that is strong, a future that is free and a government that is accountable.
What caused you to get into politics?
From a very young age, I’ve always sought opportunities to serve others and to give back to my community. Public service affords me the opportunity to do so.
Describe some critical issues that you will focus on and what potential policy may look like.
My top three legislative priorities mirror the concerns of the vast majority of my constituents: Securing our border by enacting HR 2, Tackling inflation through reducing spending and passage of a balanced budget amendment, and Restoring confidence in our republic by ensuring the rule of law, ending the weaponization of federal government agencies and reining in politically-motivated bureaucrats who have continuously abused their power in their relentless desire to erode Constitutional protections and promote a liberal agenda.
Describe some local issues, projects, or funding needs that you’d like to assist with while in Washington.
I recently secured funding in the House FY2025 budget for a Wastewater Treatment facility in Brooksville, a water quality project in Spring Hill, for technology upgrades for the Hernando County Sheriff’s office, and for a joint economic development initiative between Hernando County government and the Hernando County School Board. I’ll keep pushing for these local priorities, as I am committed to ensuring that Hernando county residents get their fair share of their tax dollars returned to them for important infrastructure needs.
What besides your experience makes you especially suited for this office?
One of the strengths of this Congress has been the diversity of thought within the Republican Caucus. We’re an inclusive party who represent very different parts of the country, and we are united by our shared commitment to the success and security of our great nation. It has not always pretty but it is through robust debates that good policy emerges. We cannot allow the perfect to be the enemy of the good and I will continue to find areas of agreement within my party and across the aisle so that we can continue to move our country forward.
What steps will you take to ensure that you hear and understand the concerns of all residents in your district?
I was just awarded by the independent Congressional Management Foundation as the top Member in both the House and Senate for constituent accessibility and engagement. In addition to providing a weekly newsletter to over 217,000 constituents that outlines my rationale for my votes, I hold monthly office hours in each county I represent, I reach out to 100k constituents each month to participate in a tele-town hall, and have held over 100 in-person forums to solicit feedback from my constituents. I’ll continue to seek new ways to engage constituents and to learn about the issues that matter most to them.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities of this office?
Members of Congress have an obligation to help the constituents and community they serve by creating a nation that is safe, an economy that is strong, a future that is free and a government that is accountable. In addition to supporting policies that help achieve these moral imperatives, I will continue to provide outstanding individual constituent service, to be accessible to my constituents and accountable for the decisions I make. Members serve as a bridge between their constituents and federal government agencies – removing bureaucratic red tape whenever possible.
Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you have heard recently that you found particularly touching, memorable or impactful?
This year, I hosted two senior forums attended by over 600 constituents. These seniors, many of whom were Veterans, were struggling as a result of record high inflation and a cost of living adjustment through Social Security and the VA that is simply insufficient. I’ve sponsored legislation that would change the COLA formula to more accurately reflect the hardships they face.
