Campaign turns rough, tumble for Bilirakis

The perils of politics pursue Gus Bilirakis, whose roadside campaigning Tuesday ended when a car bumped into him.

By ED QUIOCO, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published November 7, 2002

EAST LAKE -- Strange things happen to Gus Bilirakis when he runs for public office.

During his first race in 1998, his opponent claimed that the real Gus Bilirakis was dead and the man on the ballot was an impostor from New York named Danny Divito. Bilirakis' next opponent was a political newcomer who had never voted in an election before the 2000 campaign.

This year, Bilirakis' re-election campaign in state House District 48 seemed to be going smoothly. Then, three hours before the polls closed Tuesday, Bilirakis was waving campaign signs at the corner of East Lake and Tampa roads. He looked up, and saw a 2001 black Ford Mustang coming right at him.

The car struck Bilirakis. Witnesses later told him his chest slammed onto the vehicle's hood. The Mustang barely missed his father, longtime U.S. Rep. Mike Bilirakis, R-Tarpon Springs, who was also running for re-election.

"We laughed about it afterward, but it was kind of scary," Gus Bilirakis said Wednesday. "I told the people at the victory party that I knew politics was dangerous, but I never expected this."

A political hit?

No, said Bilirakis. He knew that as soon as he saw the terrified eyes of the young man who had struck him.

"I told him several times that I'm okay," Bilirakis said. "I said, 'Don't worry. Don't worry. It was an accident.' "

Other than some sore ribs, Bilirakis said, he was feeling okay a day after the accident. He was glad that no one was seriously injured.

"I got 85 percent of the vote," Bilirakis said. "But I paid for it, that's for sure. I'm still paying for it."

Election Day started out normally for Bilirakis. He and his father traveled in a friend's recreational vehicle festooned with their campaign signs, visiting polls and thanking volunteers.

They decided to wave at passing cars at the northeast corner of East Lake and Tampa roads. At first, a dozen or so people waved campaign signs, but when it started to rain, most of them climbed inside the recreational vehicle.

Gus Bilirakis and his father decided to keep waving, along with a handful of other volunteers and friends. About 4 p.m., as they prepared to pack it in for the night, a driver turning onto East Lake Road lost control of his car.

"I don't remember exactly how it happened," the younger Bilirakis said. "My dad thought (the car) was going toward him, but it came toward me. Thank goodness I had time to react. I kind of dodged it, but they say it hit my legs and then I fell to the ground. I tried to get up but my dad said, 'Stay down. Stay down.' "

The car narrowly missed the elder Bilirakis, who was standing next to his son.

"All I could see was Gus backing up and this thing coming toward him and then Gus is on the ground," Mike Bilirakis said. "It was almost like slow motion and yet it happened so quickly."

In his 20 years of political experience, the elder Bilirakis said he has never heard of something like this happening to a candidate while stumping on the side of the road, which occurs every election.

"If it had happened previously in the area, I think that would have been enough notice for us to stop doing it," Mike Bilirakis said.

The younger Bilirakis said he is thankful that the accident occurred after the large group of volunteers had already quit. Otherwise, he said, there could have been more injuries. He's also thankful that the car hit him and not his father.

"I'm glad it was me instead of my dad, because I saw it coming right away," Bilirakis said. "I adjusted to it as best as I could."

Both lawmakers said they are sure that this is nothing more than a freak accident. When the Pinellas County sheriff's deputies asked the injured Bilirakis if he wanted to press charges, he declined.

The driver of the Mustang, Christopher Vacco, 28, of Tarpon Springs, was not charged in the accident, said sheriff's Sgt. Greg Tita.

"In light of the fact that the road was slippery and the driver lost control while turning, there was no intent on driving reckless or careless," Tita said.

Vacco could not be reached for comment Wednesday. Gus Bilirakis said Vacco was distraught after the accident.

Bilirakis was treated by paramedics and taken to a nearby hospital to get checked. He was given painkillers and discharged after doctors found no serious injury. He made it out in time to attend a joint victory party for him and his father at Big JR's Restaurant in Oldsmar and to reassure volunteers that he was okay.

"It was freakish," Bilirakis said. "Scary, very scary."

-- Ed Quioco can be reached at (727) 445-4185 or quioco@sptimes.com .

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