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Ex-Republican joins race for Bilirakis seat

For his first move into the political arena, Fred Taylor becomes the third Democrat vying for the spot in Congress.

By NICOLE JOHNSON
Published October 1, 2005

A third Democrat has entered the race to win his party's nomination in Florida's 9th Congressional District race.

Political newcomer Fred Taylor, 57, of New Port Richey said he'll use common sense to win his party's support and loosen the Republican Party's grasp on the district, which covers North Pinellas, southern Pasco and southeastern Hillsborough counties.

Republican Rep. Mike Bilirakis of Tarpon Springs has held the seat since 1982 but plans to retire after his current term ends.

So far, two other Democrats, Greg Rublee of Oldsmar and Bill Mitchell of Tampa, have announced plans to compete for their party's nomination. Bilirakis' son, state Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Tarpon Springs, and chiropractor David Langheier are vying for the Republican nomination.

"At this point Greg Rublee's got a lead on the ground because he came into the race first," said Carrie Wadlinger, chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Pinellas County.

Overall, Gus Bilirakis generally is considered a strong favorite to succeed his father.

Taylor, a decorated Army veteran, said he caught the political bug during his work as a national commander for the Military Order of the Purple Heart, a national support network for veterans wounded in combat. In that role, he helped write and promote legislation for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Taylor earned three Purple Hearts during service in Vietnam in 1968, according to his Web site, www.taylor06.com

He has raised $600 so far for his campaign, he said.

"I've always believed American citizens have the responsibility to participate in their government," said Taylor, who has filed paperwork to run with the Federal Election Commission. "I love the term: you have to get into the arena to play the game. That's exactly right."

Raised as a Democrat, Taylor said he became a Republican in the 1980s and remained one until last year.

The federal deficit and government involvement in the Terri Schiavo case led him back to the Democratic Party, he said.

"In the '80s I believed government was too intrusive into people's affairs; the Democrats had racheted up a deficit," he said. "Now I look around and we have a huge deficit and the government interferring in the Schiavo situation."

An Indiana native, Taylor worked as a counselor for the state's veteran vocational rehabilitation program for combat wounded and disabled veterans during the early 1970s.

He had firsthand knowledge of the program.

He was wounded in both legs and his spine during his service in the 1st Cavalry Division during the Vietnam War from 1967 to 1968. Before going to war, he aspired to be a funeral home director. His war injuries prevented him from being on his feet long enough to work in a funeral home, he said.

"I was in the hospital for six months, when I came out of the hospital I didn't know what to do, because the thing I had prepared for was gone," he said.

Taylor went on to earn a bachelor's and master's degree in education from Indiana University. He also received a graduate certificate in public management in government affairs from the school.

After his work with the vocational rehabilitation program, Taylor became program director for Medicaid for the Indiana state Health Department, overseeing 400 nursing homes until the late 1970s. He later owned and operated two nursing homes and became a business broker.

Taylor and wife, Patricia, moved to Florida in 2002 to care for his elderly mother. Taylor now works as a Realtor and licensed mortgage broker. The couple has eight children 12 to 35 years old.

Fiscal responsibility in government, benefits for the elderly and education are the issues Taylor said he is most passionate about.

"If we're broke," he said, "then we don't have the money to do services for those in our society who can't defend themselves."

--Nicole Johnson can be reached at 727 445-4162 or njohnson@sptimes.com

[Last modified October 1, 2005, 01:45:17]