Attorney challenges veteran Bilirakis

Chuck Kalogianis hopes his earlier run at office helps him against the 10-term Republican.

By ROBERT FARLEY, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published June 1, 2002

NEW PORT RICHEY -- Standing on the steps of his West Pasco law firm and flanked by Greek and American flags, Democrat Chuck Kalogianis announced Friday his intent to oppose 10-term incumbent Mike Bilirakis for the 9th Congressional District seat.

"I say enough is enough, it's time for a change," Kalogianis said.

Bilirakis has not faced a Democratic challenger since 1996, when he defeated former Oldsmar mayor Jerry Provenzano more than 2-to-1.

Kalogianis, 39, outlined a platform that highlights education, protecting Social Security and Medicare benefits, providing seniors prescription drug benefits, spending more for veterans services and reducing the national debt.

Kalogianis stepped onto the political scene in 1998 when he made an unsuccessful bid to unseat incumbent Republican state Rep. Mike Fasano.

"Success is a process," Kalogianis said. "Most people who run do not win their first time."

Kalogianis filed more than a year ago to run for Congress, but waited until Friday to announce that he would oppose Bilirakis.

The one-time male stripper still knows how to make an entrance. Kalogianis arrived by helicopter while the theme from Rocky blared on loudspeakers.

Although he will compete in a newly redrawn district where registered Republicans outnumber Democrats 172,378 to 143,481, Kalogianis spoke with confidence about his chances.

"Mark my words," Kalogianis said. "This will be a winning campaign from start to finish."

Kalogianis said he had not intended to run against Bilirakis -- a fellow attorney and Greek-American -- but he decided it was the best chance for the Democrats to win back a seat in the House.

"Mr. Bilirakis is a fine man, and I agree with him on many issues," Kalogianis said.

But Kalogianis said he did not agree with Bilirakis' support of a 2003 budget which would add to the deficit. Nor did Kalogianis agree with Bilirakis' support of President Bush's tax cut, which he said could have been used to provide prescription drug coverage to seniors.

Bilirakis could not be reached for comment Friday.

Democratic Party leaders said they were glad to finally have a viable candidate to oppose Bilirakis.

"We haven't had a strong candidate for a long while," said LaVaunne Miller, chairman of the Democratic Executive Committee of Pasco County.

"He believes in the people and wants to work for them," said Cheryl Long, chairwoman of the Pinellas Democratic Executive Committee. "We are really proud."

"Our political system only works when the election process generates healthy public debate of issues between strong candidates," said Pasco County Commissioner Peter Altman.

The newly drawn 9th district takes in parts of Hillsborough, West Pasco and North Pinellas. In Hillsborough, where the district extends from Keystone to Thonotosassa and south to the Fish Hawk Ranch development near Riverview, it includes 137,830 registered voters. Another 121,427 voters live in western Pasco, and 137,037 live in northern Pinellas.

In his race against Fasano, much was made in the media of the revelation that Kalogianis had worked during his law school days as a male stripper in a Boston burlesque troupe called Men In Motion.

He hopes enough time has passed so that will no longer be an issue.

"When I was questioned about it, I was forthright and honest," he said. "I think people appreciated that."

Kalogianis said he's confident he can raise enough money to get his message out. He predicts campaign spending will reach seven figures.

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