Aaron Bean

Aaron Paul Bean (born January 25, 1967) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for Florida's 4th congressional district since 2023.[1] A Republican, Bean represented the 4th district in the Florida Senate, which included all of Nassau County and parts of Duval County, from 2012 to 2022. From 2000 to 2008, he represented the 12th district in the Florida House of Representatives.

Aaron Bean
Official portrait, 2023
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Florida's 4th district
Assumed office
January 3, 2023
Preceded byJohn Rutherford (redistricting)
President pro tempore of the Florida Senate
In office
November 17, 2020 – November 22, 2022
Preceded byDavid H. Simmons
Succeeded byDennis Baxley
Member of the Florida Senate
from the 4th district
In office
November 6, 2012 – November 8, 2022
Preceded byRedistricted
Succeeded byClay Yarborough
Member of the Florida House of Representatives
from the 12th district
In office
November 7, 2000 – November 4, 2008
Preceded byGeorge Crady
Succeeded byJanet H. Adkins
Personal details
Born (1967-01-25) January 25, 1967
Fernandina Beach, Florida, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseAbby Bean
Children3
EducationJacksonville University (BS)
WebsiteHouse website

Florida Senate

In 2012, when Florida Senate districts were reconfigured, the 4th district was drawn to include all of Nassau County, and parts of Duval County, taking in most of Jacksonville's northern suburbs. Bean opted to run in the newly created district, and faced State Representative Mike Weinstein in the Republican primary. He was endorsed by former Governor of Florida Jeb Bush, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, and the National Rifle Association. Bean campaigned on increasing the region's political power and clout in state politics, saying, "We're going to...really strengthen our region and fight as we compete with the Tampas and the Miamis."[2] He defeated Weinstein in the primary election with 64% of the vote to Weinstein's 36%, and advanced to the general election, where he faced Democratic nominee Nancy Soderberg, a former high-ranking official at the United States National Security Council and an ambassador during the Clinton Administration. During the election, Soderberg attacked Bean for taking campaign contributions from health care companies and for cutting education in the 2008 state budget, while Bean campaigned on increasing school choice for parents, arguing, "We need to give parents the right to choose where they send their kids," and once again on increasing the region's ability to fight for its interests, saying, "We need to hustle through leadership, hustle through skills."[3] Despite the election's contentiousness and Soderberg's high profile, it was not close, with Bean winning his first term in the Florida Senate with 62% of the vote.[4]

While serving in the Senate, Bean proposed legislation during the 2013 legislative session that, in addressing the Medicaid expansion provided for under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, "would reject the $51 billion offered over the next decade for expansion under Obamacare and use state money...to set up a healthcare marketplace under Florida Health Choices, a system he helped set up in 2008 as a member of the House."[5] During the 2014 legislative session, he staked out a position in opposition to legislation that would give the children of undocumented immigrants the ability to pay in-state tuition at state universities, arguing, "I know it feels good giving benefits away. We are giving so many benefits to non-citizens...does it matter even being an American citizen anymore?"[6] He voted for the controversial Senate Bill 86 in 2021.[7]

U.S. House of Representatives

2022
Main article: 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida § District 4

Bean announced his candidacy to represent Florida's 4th district in Congress on June 3, 2022.[8] He campaigned on lowering inflation and securing the southern border of the U.S.[1] He defeated two opponents in the Republican primary with 68% of the vote.[9] In the general election, Bean defeated Democratic nominee LaShonda Holloway with 60% of the vote.[1][10]

Committee assignments

For the 118th Congress:[11]

Caucus memberships

Syria

In 2023, Bean was among 47 Republicans to vote in favor of H.Con.Res. 21 which directed President Joe Biden to remove U.S. troops from Syria within 180 days.[13][14]

Personal life

Bean is married to Abby Bean (née Bradley) of Green Cove Springs. They have three sons.[15]

Bean is Protestant.[16][17]

References
  1. Bauerlein, David (November 8, 2022). "U.S. House District 4: Aaron Bean defeats LaShonda Holloway in newly drawn seat". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
  2. Dixon, Matt (August 14, 2012). "No contest in Florida Senate 4: Aaron Bean crushes Mike Weinstein". Florida Times-Union. Retrieved May 23, 2014.
  3. Dixon, Matt (October 29, 2012). "Aaron Bean, Nancy Soderberg trade blows in radio debate". Florida Times-Union. Archived from the original on May 24, 2014. Retrieved May 23, 2014.
  4. "Our Campaigns - FL State Senate 04 Race - Nov 06, 2012".
  5. Dixon, Matt (April 24, 2013). "Sen. Aaron Bean's health care plan likely going nowhere". Florida Times-Union. Archived from the original on May 24, 2014. Retrieved May 23, 2014.
  6. Fineout, Gary (May 2, 2014). "Florida Senate Approves In-State Tuition Bill For Undocumented Immigrants". The Huffington Post. Retrieved May 23, 2014.
  7. "Florida Senate Vote Record, Senate Bill 86, 2021 Regular Session" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-05-22.
  8. "Aaron Bean kicks off congressional campaign". Action News Jax. June 3, 2022. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
  9. "Voter's Guide: Florida's 4th Congressional District". News4Jax. July 26, 2022. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
  10. Wolfe, Wes (November 8, 2022). "Aaron Bean leaves Florida Senate for U.S. House in easy CD 4 victory". Florida Politics. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
  11. "Aaron Bean". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  12. "Candidates". RMSP PAC. Retrieved 2022-12-26.
  13. "H.Con.Res. 21: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of … -- House Vote #136 -- Mar 8, 2023". March 8, 2023.
  14. "House Votes Down Bill Directing Removal of Troops From Syria". Associated Press. March 8, 2023.
  15. Wolfe, Wes (12 August 2022). "Aaron Bean CD 4 ad talks family, inflation". Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  16. "Religious affiliation of members of 118th Congress" (PDF). PEW Research Center. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  17. "Faith on the Hill: The religious composition of the 118th Congress". Pew Research Center. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
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