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Former Plant City Mayor To Run Against Bilirakis

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By GEORGE H. NEWMAN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 2, 2007

PLANT CITY - Former Plant City mayor and city commissioner John Dicks formally announced Monday that he is running for U.S. Congress in Florida's 9{+t}{+h} District.

Dicks, 54, was on the city commission nine years, and was mayor three times during 1999-2000 and 2005-2007. He chose not to seek re-election after his last term and stepped down as mayor and commissioner in June.

Dicks said he has been considering a run at the Democratic nomination for the seat all summer.

'Obviously this is a serious undertaking,' Dicks said. 'The next 13 months will be a long road. This campaign will demand significant time, energy and effort. But I am ready for the long haul because I think the people in District 9 deserve better representation.'

Dicks, a Lakeland native, has lived most of his life in eastern Hillsborough County. He graduated from Plant City High School and received a bachelor of science in public relations from the University of Florida in 1975. He attended law school at Florida State University, passed the Bar exam in 1979 and remained an active Bar member.

After leaving the commission, Dicks joined the Trinkle-Redman law firm in Plant City as general representative and counsel to various clients. He's also a self-employed international financial adviser and speaker.

District 9 now is held by freshman congressman Gus Bilirakis, a Republican.

Bilirakis has one other Democratic opponent, William D. 'Bill' Mitchell, a Tampa employment lawyer.

Dicks wasted no time questioning Bilirakis' record in Congress.

'Bilirakis has voted against a bill designed to encourage alternative fuel sources,' Dicks said. 'He also voted against improved fuel efficiency standards in new cars. He voted against a bill that would have set a standard rest period for soldiers between combat assignments. And he voted against Medicare shopping lower drug prices for citizens covered in the program.'

A Bilirakis spokesman, John Tomaszewski, said he wasn't sure which bills Dicks was referring to, but from what he has heard, Dicks should consider supporting Bilirakis for Congress.

'Dicks seems to have the same goals that Congressman Bilirakis is working for,' Tomaszewski said.

Dicks and his wife of 29 years, the former Sharon Brooks, have two sons: John Jr., 23, a graduate of the University of Florida now attending law school there, and Jarod, 21, a senior at the Naval Academy. Jarod will serve as an officer in the Marine Corps upon graduation.

Dicks' Web site is www.johndicksforcongress .com.

Reporter George H. Newman can be reached at (813) 865-4451 or gnewman@tampatrib.com.

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