PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. -- U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis has been listed as the most bipartisan member of Congress from Florida in 2019, according to a national study released this week.

The Tarpon Springs Republican comes in 32^nd in the annual index published by the Lugar Center and the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University, which has published bipartisan ratings, ranking every member of Congress since 1993. 

The Lugar Center says that their index “measures how often a member of Congress introduces bills that succeed in attracting co-sponsors from members of the other party, and how often they in turn co-sponsor a bill introduced from across the aisle.”

“Especially in these difficult times, I believe people want their leaders to work together in order to do what’s right for our country and our constituents,” Bilirakis said in a written statement. “I consider myself a workhorse, not a show horse – always seeking to work in a bi-partisan manner to find areas of common ground on matters that will make a positive difference in the lives of the people I serve, regardless of political affiliation.”

Bilirakis has served in Florida’s 12^th Congressional District (which encompasses Pasco and parts of northern Pinellas and Hillsborough) since 2007. He succeeded his father, Mike Bilirakis, who served in the same seat from 1983-2006.

The next highest member of the Florida delegation listed is Jacksonville Republican John Rutherford at 41, followed by Orlando-area Democrat Darren Soto at 47.

Sarasota area Republican Vern Buchanan is ranked 58^th.

“Now more than ever, Americans are depending on Congress to work together on a bipartisan basis to help us through these challenging times,” Buchanan said in a statement announcing his ranking in the report. “We must put an end to the toxic partisanship in Washington and come together to protect the public, get Americans back to work and help rebuild our economy.”

Buchanan has also served in Congress since 2006. He’s being challenged this year by state House Democrat Margaret Good. 

Pennsylvania Republican Brian Fitzpatrick tops the list of U.S. Representatives in terms of bipartisanship. 

As far as where other members from the Tampa Bay area stand in the Lugar Index: St. Petersburg Democrat Charlie Crist is listed at 73.  Tampa Democrat Kathy Castor is at 245, and Dover Republican Ross Spano is listed at 324.

Florida’s two Republican Senators are separated rather dramatically on the Index’s Senate list of most bipartisan members in that body. Marco Rubio is listed 9^th, while Rick Scott is listed 81^st.

In case you’re wondering, Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins is listed as the most bipartisan member of the U.S. Senate, while Vermont Independent Bernie Sanders is ranked as the least.